03 May 2023 , 06:51
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Granit Xhaka was given a seal of approval from two former legendary Arsenal midfielders after helping inspire his side to victory over Chelsea.
After a run of four Premier League games without a win, which left Mikel Arteta's side a point behind Man City having played a game more, a win over their London rivals was imperative to keep Arsenal's fading title hopes alive. And Xhaka and co delivered, with Martin Odegaard scoring twice before Gabriel Jesus sealed a 3-0 half time lead.
The Blues grabbed a second half consolation goal through Noni Madueke, but in truth they were outplayed with the Switzerland star deemed man of the match on the night. He provided the assists for both of Odegaard's early strikes, and only two superb saves from Kepa denied him being on the scoresheet himself.
And afterwards, Cesc Fabregas and Patrick Vieira both lauded Xhaka for finally controlling his aggression and becoming a leader for Arteta's side.
"Listen, I don’t want him to change," said Vieira, working as a pundit for Sky Sports. "This fire, the team needs it and he needs it as a player. He is a top player. I had a chance to spend a bit of time with him off the field and he loves this football club.
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"He is passionate on the field and that passion, he needs to share it around with the other players to take as well more responsibility. I hope that fire inside him, he will keep it, because that makes him as a player."
Working alongside his former teammate, Fabregas also outlined how Xhaka had matured, also attributing his turnaround to a slight positional change.
"I think he’s got the same passion but he’s not rash like before," he added. "He’s not committing into challenges he cannot win.
Cesc Fabregas and Patrick Vieira talking to Granit Xhaka after Arsenal's win over Chelsea (Sky Sports)"He doesn’t need to track as much as a low midfielder, he’s got cover, he’s much more protected so he has this licence to go forward with a bit more of a free head knowing that he doesn’t need to be the last man sometimes.
"He’s not the fastest player so sometimes he was struggling against fast players in the Premier League so I think that this has helped him as well mentally."
The 30-year-old's renaissance at Arsenal appeared inconceivable back in November 2019, when then manager Umai Emery stripped him of the captaincy after he reacted angrily towards fans after being substituted against Crystal Palace. And speaking to Sky Sports afterwards, Xhaka acknowledged his change of on-field demeanour.
"I don't want to lose the other part that I have, because this is what brought me here," he said. But of course, I have to be a little but more calm.
"With experience, and with age, you learn as well. I've looking different but I do still have the other part as well."