Arsenal: Granit Xhaka has laid the perfect foundation

Granit Xhaka has revealed that he feels extremely settled at Arsenal after a turbulent first season. With his improving performances to close the year, the Swiss international laid the perfect foundation for the rest of his Gunners’ career.

It was a tumultuous, turbulent opening campaign for Granit Xhaka in England. Signed as an enforcer and anchorman for £35 million, it was expected that he would be the governor of the Arsenal midfield, marshalling central areas with great control and confidence.

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But a series of mistimed, overly-aggressive tackles, combined with a difficult time dealing with the pace and intensity of English football thanks to his one-footedness and lack of short-area quickness, saw him come under some rather vehement criticism from fans and media figures alike.

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Such criticism was justified. However, as his talents were better understood, Arsene Wenger was able to forge a role for him at the foot of the midfield. Rather than playing as a box-to-box, dynamic midfielder, Xhaka was asked to sit as the deepest-lying midfielder, playing a more quarterback-like role, allowing his outstanding passing range to come to the fore and control proceedings.

It was the perfect role for Xhaka. And in a recent interview with Arsenal Magazine, Xhaka proceeded to detail how he was aware of his consistencies, but stated that he now feels very settled at the club and in London, and was happy to have made the room:

"“Well I’d say that I’ve had highs and lows this season. The team has had good phases and not so good phases. But we’ve finished the season playing well and it’s just a shame we couldn’t quite get into the top four, though we did end it in the best way possible, with a trophy. I feel really comfortable here I’m really pleased to be here.”"

While Xhaka did suffer his fair share of troubles early on, his far improved performances to close the season have laid the perfect foundation to now push on and prove his quality on a more consistent basis. Wenger has a greater understanding of how to utilise him, how to minimise his shortcomings and allow his strengths to blossom, and Xhaka has a greater acclimatisation to the Premier League.

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Xhaka is yet to reach a level that his price tag demands. However, he is now in the perfect position to push on and begin to influence games at a consistently high level that was expected of him when he first signed. It is set to be a pivotal year for the 24-year-old.