Some Arsenal fans had it in for one of their players despite displaying his special passing ability during their recent draw against Real Madrid in pre-season.
A clip of Granit Xhaka picking out a gorgeous long-range pass for Eddie Nketiah – putting the youngster through one-on-one with Madrid ‘keeper Thibaut Courtois – was shared online, though a handful of supporters felt the video was a misleading representation of the Swiss international’s qualities.
Nketiah was the one who fluffed his lines on this occasion, missing a glorious chance to snatch victory for Arsenal after letting a two-goal lead slip in their US friendly – but the criticism that followed was firmly placed at the feet of architect Xhaka.
That’s despite creating the opportunity that led to Alexandre Lacazette’s penalty earlier in the game, before being a central part to the build-up for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goal that followed almost 15 minutes later.
Fans seemed to feel that the 16-second video papered over the cracks of Xhaka’s attributes, with supporters highlighting the perceived negative side to the midfielder’s game.
It looks like the 26-year-old has his fair share of naysayers – with this particular group of Arsenal fans not taking the quality of Xhaka’s passing at face value:
But most times he’s just criminal.
— Musa Stak (@Lord_Stak) July 25, 2019
All the time in the world he had to make that pass. What he gets paid he should have made that pass.
I agree he has talent long range passing wise, but his mobility and defensive mentality are severely lacking.
— Honest AFC Fan (@J_Maack91) July 24, 2019
This is, unfortunately, his only true quality. That is not enough any more at AFC.
— Gerreli (@PaulGerreli) July 24, 2019
Lol. Any footballer with two legs and eyes will mame that pass.
— Adedapo Famodun (@FadboyAFC) July 24, 2019
He is good at cross the ball with his left foot across the field. He is slow, he sucks at defending, can’t cover or trackback, he actually conceeded a pen in that game. He is a liability. He needs to go fam.
— Kacey Uwakwe (@KaceyUwakwe) July 24, 2019
Literally the only decent play he made the whole game so overrated
— Jez (@VIPxKings) July 25, 2019
No one has ever disputed his ability to produce this kind of raking, defense splitting pass. It’s his moments of sheer stupidity that put us in needlessly difficult situations that are the problem.
— Tom Patrick (@tommypd89) July 24, 2019
His weaknesses are so deadly. Stability and consistency are the most important qualities for a top class midfielder.
— Theo_14 (@TheoTheo_14) July 25, 2019
I don’t think anybody has ever underrated his long range passing. It’s almost everywhere else where he’s a huge liability.
— fma (@fomozimi) July 25, 2019
1 good pass doesnt make up for 100 lost possessions…
— Danny (@DannyGannon) July 25, 2019
