Arsenal have got a number of influential players who the team looks worse for not having available when they don’t play. However, when an Arsenal fan account asked the supporters who they believed was their most important player is, the majority of fans came back with a surprising answer in the form of Granit Xhaka.
Arsenal’s most IMPORTANT PLAYER this season is ______________
— LTArsenal (@ltarsenal) 9 January 2019
The Swiss midfielder has been absolutely key to the form of Unai Emery’s side and he featured prominently as the Gunners went on their impressive 22-game unbeaten run between August and December. At the age of 26, the defensive midfielder has an understanding of what he has to do, and whilst he is often unfairly criticised, he makes a lot less mistakes than the Gunners make out.
It’s often the case that fans don’t praise players when they’re doing things right as quickly as they’ll jump on the back of one of their stars for making a mistake. Some of Xhaka’s past mistakes in Arsene Wenger’s final years painted a target on his back for the fans, but now he’s shining under Emery, the fans are starting to realise just how important he is to their current side.
You can read the Gunners’ verdict on their most important player here:
Unpopular but Xhaka is just as important as Torreira. When one isn’t in the midfield the other doesn’t look the same player.
— TheArseView (@TheArseView) January 9, 2019
Shouldn't be unpopular to anyone with eyes. Xhaka has been assured more often than not & is even more important than most with Özil not in the side
— Udò eji eke ego 1 (@Alcapone247) January 9, 2019
https://twitter.com/Rahul17102017/status/1083071934064181250
https://twitter.com/Mi_stalim/status/1083067846874284033
https://twitter.com/vineethrpinglae/status/1083240616383991808
Makes me amazed how much stick Xhaka actually deserves from out fan base. We havent played a decent game when he is not on the middle of the park. This guy looses some ball but equally conducts our overall midfield. Definitely him for me.
— CannonCrew (@CannonFireFC) January 10, 2019
https://twitter.com/danny_gooner/status/1083094586074021889
Toss between xhaka and holding.
— J.Dot.I (@jdoti22) January 9, 2019
The Gunners are starting to really come around to Xhaka and will be hoping he can carry on playing at the top of his game for the second half of the season.
