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Arsenal: Granit Xhaka The Worst Signing Of The Season?
Tony Cascarino believes Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka is one of the worst signings of the season. While he has been poor, that seems an overly harsh assessment.
Signing players from abroad is rarely a smooth process. The unique physical demands of the Premier League, the pace and intensity at which the game is played at, the competitiveness in the lower reaches and the fiery away atmospheres up and down the country make the league a challenging prospect for any player who has no experience of it. Arsenal have often found that out the hard way.
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There have been many signings that have underwhelmed in England. Gervinho, after two inconsistent years in North London, proceeded to blossom at Roma. Andrey Arshavin, after a blistering six months, failed to ever replicate the same success. And now, the latest foreigner to be painted with ‘can’t handle English football’ brush is Granit Xhaka.
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Signed to be the Gunners’ entrenched, holding midfielder, tackling tough and distributing from deep, Xhaka has, other than a few glistening appearances when given time and space on the ball, for the most part, struggled to ever convince. And now, after nearly a full season in England, large factions of the fan base and the media are beginning to turn on him. Here is former Chelsea star Tony Cascarino questioning whether Xhaka is the worst the signing of the season:
"“Arsenal spent over £90million in the summer and none of the signings have proven themselves. Lucas Perez has hardly had a kick, he’s in and out of the team. He looks a good player but just doesn’t play often enough. Granit Xhaka has been one of the worst signings of the season… he’s been very poor.”"
Certainly, Xhaka has been a disappointment. Arsene Wenger was extremely positive when he first signed for the club, heralding his control of the game as a midfield general, praising his range of passing and technical skill.
And while we haven’t seen Xhaka at his best yet, to suggest that he is the worst signing of the season is rather harsh. Firstly, it takes time to adapt to English football; more than one season, for sure. Moreover, it glimpses, Xhaka has showcased his ability. There is, somewhere, a decent player in there. He has all the tools that Wenger proclaimed when he signed him. They simply need fine tuning.
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Xhaka has come under a great deal of criticism for his performance so far this season. And justifiably so. But it is far too early to brand him as a poor signing. He has proven he has ability and we, as fans, must have patience as he attempts to show it more consistently.