MARTINELLI: XHAKA AN IMPORTANT FIGURE FOR YOUNG PLAYERS
The Granit Xhaka redemption arc might be playing out publicly as the Swiss international’s good form has rightly earned him plaudits, as well as being named the club’s Player of the Month for the first time since his arrival in the summer of 2016.
Yet none of this will be a surprise to those inside the Arsenal dressing room where the 30 year old – despite some difficult moments in recent times – has been a well-respected and influential presence.
Xhaka scored his second goal of the season in the 3-1 win over Sp*rs at the weekend, and in an interview with The Times (£), Gabriel Martinelli highlighted his importance both as a leader and an example for less experienced members of the squad.
“Xhaka is an amazing lad,” he said. “You see how much he dedicates himself to the team, how much he cares about the match and the players as well, he is definitely one of our leaders.
“Right after our first goal against Tottenham, he calls everybody into a huddle, asking us to stay calm and saying we will score more goals.
“That’s when you see how important he is to all players. For young players like me and Bukayo , it’s very important to have a team-mate like him.”
The Brazilian, who played his countryman Richarlison off the park on Saturday, also had words of praise for the fans, and the atmosphere that exists for every game now.
“I have never seen our fans like they are now; it’s unreal, it’s amazing,” he said.
“They have been supporting me all the time. That wasn’t always so. I remember the match against Leicester when William scored an own goal, and the stands began to cheer him up and sing.
“We kicked off and two minutes later Xhaka scored, 3-1. That’s when I realised everything was different this year, the atmosphere was quite different.
“It is thrilling to listen to on the pitch.”
And long may it last.
https://arseblog.news/2022/10/martinelli-xhaka-an-important-figure-for-young-players/