Raphael Honigstein has suggested that one player Arsenal sold last year has seen his game go to another level in recent years, and has seen his new side built around him to a degree.
Mikel Arteta and Edu have not got a lot wrong over the last few years. Of course, the Gunners have progressed every year over the last few seasons.
This campaign could yet end in Premier League or Champions League glory. Arsenal top the domestic league. And they have a good chance of reaching the semi-final in Europe.
Certainly, they have been vindicated for the various transfer decisions they have made in recent times. But perhaps there is a debate to be had over one sale they sanctioned last year.
Granit Xhaka has now gone to another level
By the time Granit Xhaka left the Emirates in 2023, he had become a club hero. Xhaka managed to silence all of his doubters. And he became an integral part of Arteta’s side.
It has not been a seamless transition to life without Xhaka this season. Kai Havertz struggled in the number eight role. And they do not appear to have the depth to always play Declan Rice in that more advanced position.
Xhaka meanwhile, has helped Bayer Leverkusen take themselves to the brink of winning the Bundesliga title. Xabi Alonso’s men sit 16 points clear of Bayern Munich.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Raphael Honigstein suggested that while Mikel Arteta played his part in Xhaka’s improvement, he has become indispensable in this Leverkusen team.
“We always knew that Xhaka had a big personality,” he said. “That he was an important dressing room voice and a real leader.
“But now, his football has gone to another level in the last couple of years and I think that is because of the influence of [Alonso and Mikel Arteta] as experienced former central midfielders.
“It is clear that with Alonso playing or taking part in many sessions himself, and still being the best player on the pitch, you can pick up so many things if you’re willing. With Xhaka, I think he’s still very much willing and happy to learn and you could see an improvement.
“I think that there’s a reason why he was captain at Arsenal. There’s a reason why Leverkusen were desperate to get him in. Alonso effectively built a team around him to a certain extent.
“Xhaka has been one reason why they’ve managed to instil this togetherness and real team mentality that the past Leverkusen teams haven’t always been able to produce, because of their nature as sort of a stepping stone for many players.
“He’s one of the main reasons why Leverkusen have now gone from being a very good team to being a superb side.”
Arsenal sale seems to have been best for both parties
It did appear that the time was right for Xhaka to leave Arsenal. He had played his part in the Gunners’ progression. And he had won around a lot of fans who had, understandably, completely written him off.
One of the only areas where Arsenal have struggled has been selling their players. So a £21.4 million bid for Xhaka had to be considered.
And you would assume that that deal helped Arsenal fund moves for the likes of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz.
This could be a year which ends brilliantly for both Arsenal and Xhaka. And there will be a lot of delight from both sides if the Gunners can now get across the line as Leverkusen are about to do.
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