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Arsenal: Wilshere Praising Xhaka Shows Increasing Maturity
Jack Wilshere has recently praised the quality of latest Arsenal addition Granit Xhaka, displaying a maturity that could lead the two to a wonderful midfield partnership.
In a transfer window that has been mired by negativity, one positive note that has come out of Arsenal’s summer has been long forgotten. Thankfully, Arsene Wenger and his players are aware of the quality of his main addition in this transfer market.
Granit Xhaka is the man who Wenger has tied his reputation to this summer, and much of fans’ analysis based upon this summer will revolve around the fortunes of Xhaka this coming season. Jack Wilshere is certainly a fan of his new teammate, and it displays a maturity that has not yet been seen in the young Englishman.
Speaking to Arsenal.com, WIlshere stated:
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"“I’ve played against him a few times at youth level for England and also for the first team with England, so I know him quite well. I’ve always thought he was a good player, he’s very strong and has got a good left foot. He’s a leader, he can hold the midfield together and can get things going from back to front. He’s a good signing.”"
The young Arsenal midfielder has often been criticized for his youthful naivety, both in his play on the field and in his behavior off of it. However, Wilshere, rather than see Xhaka as a direct rival to his first team – which he is – sees him as a someone who can benefit the squad as a whole.
Taking such an external, objective standpoint on the addition of Xhaka perhaps shows that Wilshere to inherit a greater responsibility within the squad. He has so often been seen as the boy of the side. It’s time he graduated, and he seems to be ready to do so.
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The comments themselves do lead to a rather optimistic scenario in which Arsenal’s midfield is anchored by the pair of Wilshere and Xhaka. Certainly there are plenty of players who feel that they deserve a starting role, but Wilshere is growing off the pitch, he simply needs to translate that to success on it.