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Arsenal’s loss against Atletico Madrid hurt some more than others, but none were hurt more than Granit Xhaka. And rightfully so, given all that happened.
Arsenal lost as a team against Atletico Madrid, but some members of that team were less okay with it than others. As a consolation prize, which is worth nothing in the long run, there were some players out there who did all that was in their power. It just wasn’t everyone.
It’s a question that is asked far too often, and one whose answer varies far too much – who is an actual winner on this team or, at the very least, who has the passion and fight to be a winner, and accept nothing less?
It may be hard for some people to accept, although after this loss to Atleti, it seems like some people are starting to wrap their heads around it. Granit Xhaka is a winner or, if you don’t buy that, accept that he wants, beyond anything else, to be a winner.
Related Story: 3 Players Who Deserve Individual Praise After Atleti
He isn’t someone who is going to settle for any less than his best. This is clear by the improvements he is making. And when he does make a mistake, you can bet that he will have repaired on that mistake the following chance he gets. Which is the next best thing to not having made the mistake in the first place.
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My heart went out to Xhaka as he collapsed to the ground after a match that was, yet again, one of his best with this club. He has not been appreciated by this fan base, has suffered constant abuse on his social media platforms, and yet he still gives his all time and time again and he does so for the fans that don’t appreciate him and the team that he suits up for.
No question about it. You have to ask yourself, when the going gets tough, who among these Arsenal players steps up and demands more?
Well, Xhaka was one of the few to do so. And while he may not be the type of player many were hoping for, I hope that we can at least all start to accept that he will always do his best to improve and do the absolute best he can.
Next: 5 Things Learned Against Atletico Madrid
I recognize that I’ve been praising this man all year long, but that’s not even what this is about. He displayed what kind of character he has against Atletico and in the aftermath of the match and that is the kind of character that I want my team built around.
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