Arsenal: Granit Xhaka the first to say it, now let’s do it

Arsenal had themselves a good time in the North London Derby and now it’s time to build on that. Which, according to Granit Xhaka, includes going and winning the title. Why not?

Arsenal’s win over Tottenham in the all-important North London Derby may only be worth three points, just like any other win, but there is something called motivation and that provided the Gunners with quite a bit of it.

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So much so that Granit Xhaka has come out and given us something to think about. After a solid performance that saw Xhaka in the stronger of the two midfields, the Swiss said that football is a strange game and that there is still plenty of reason to think that the Gunners can go off and win the whole damn thing, turning over Manchester City’s 12 point cushion.

To which I say, “yeah! Why the hell not?” Seriously though, it’s not nearly as crazy as it seems. People are already anointing City as the Premier League title winners, but the season isn’t even halfway over yet and the most hectic period is yet to come.

Not just that, but City have shown frailties. It would be irresponsible to sit here and pretend like they’ve been untouchable. Sure, they haven’t lost yet, but they were put on the ropes against Bournemouth at the Etihad in a match that should have ended level.

Relegation-bait West Brom hung with the Citizens and pushed them for all it was worth. Even Stoke City dented them a bit before being wholly put away.

Plus, let’s not joke around and pretend like City are going to come marching into the Emirates and claim three points. I don’t think the Gunners lose at home this year and I’d be damned surprised if they didn’t win the rest of their home matches. Just wait and see what happens against Manchester United.

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Before I get too far ahead, here is exactly what he said, via Sky Sports:

"I think in football everything is possible. Manchester City, at the moment, are on a very good run, they’re doing very well and others have dropped points – which they haven’t done – but it’s conceivable that they could drop points as well. They might not continue as they have been."

Talk is cheap though. Anyone can come out and say this and people have done it in the past, but Xhaka is right, football is a funny game. City haven’t dropped points yet but it will happen. It happens to everyone. The question is if we will be able to capitalize on it.

Also, I’m glad that it was Xhaka to say this and not, say, Theo Walcott. Because Xhaka is a big determining factor as far as how this season goes. He is a huge member of the “spine” that holds everything in place and without an in-form Xhaka, I’m not sure how far this team goes.

Next: 5 Things Learned Against Tottenham

This can happen. I’m not going to o off and say that it will happen, it’s too early for that, but it can happen and so long as that is the case, I’ll believe that it will.