Arsenal: Granit Xhaka Right To Temper Expectations

Arsenal’s new midfielder Granit Xhaka has scored some screamers and made quite the immediate impact. Still, he was right to temper expectations.

Arsenal unloaded a bunch of money over the summer filling some major roles. Shkodran Mustafi and Granit Xhaka are obviously the two with the most influence thus far, with the former locking down the defensive prowess and Xhaka mixing in fireworks with just general stoutness.

Related: Arsenal’s Top 10 Player Power Rankings

Fans have been clamoring for Granit Xhaka to become a regular starter and they are getting their wish, just in a rather unfortunate way, as Francis Coquelin bit the temporary dust to free the way for the Swiss tank.

Before he was even starting regularly, Xhaka could be found making substitute appearances and pounding in goals from way beyond where anyone should pound in goals from.

It’s gotten everyone a bit excited about what’s to come next. More goals from distance? One can only hope.

However, Xhaka has come out in his recent interview with SkySports to temper everyone’s expectations of his goal output.

“I’m happy that I’ve scored those two goals – don’t expect me to give that every week.”

That shouldn’t cause too much disappointment. I could see a few fans out there sighing in silent acceptance that it’s unrealistic to think that Xhaka is going to keep up the stunning goals on a weekly basis.

It’s important that Xhaka has come out and said it himself, though. You could see him getting pressured by fans to fire any time he got the ball and he even succumbed once and shot off a Pogba-like effort that disappeared into the atmosphere.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

For Xhaka to come out and admit on his own that he won’t be scoring that many goals on a regular basis is almost like a self-convincing moment. I’m sure that even he was getting caught up in the glamour of being able to get so many screaming fans behind him when his shot bulged the back of the net.

But that isn’t what he is here for. As my co-editor Andy pointed out not long ago, the goals are nice, but they aren’t necessary. I’ll admit that I myself have been pumped to see him score again and it has drastically altered the way I play FIFA 17 (have to stop shooting from that far out…).

Next: Arsenal's 30 Greatest Players Ever

Xhaka has plenty to give us beyond the occasional goal and that influence will only grow as time goes on.