Arsenal: The Dark Ages of Granit Xhaka are finally over

Arsenal have extended the already lengthy contract of Granit Xhaka, meaning that under Unai Emery, the dark ages may finally be coming to an end.

Well, well, well. Arsenal have made their next big step towards the most successful era in team history. They have extended the contract of Granit Xhaka and locked him down for the longhaul. Now, Xhaka already had years left on his deal, so even I’m a bit surprised that this has happened. But now that it has, we need to talk.

Xhaka suffered (and still often does) from acute underappreciation. Fans just did not understand what the big deal was. And to be fair, when you bring a £30m+ price tag, they expect the world. To us Gooners, that is a lot of money.

Xhaka wasn’t fast, or brutish or all that overtly creative, he just did some fairly specific things pretty well. But as those specific things grew in importance (and still do) and as his weaknesses balanced out, some even turning into strengths, it became clearer why he was here.

But it will still always be clear that he is not a defensive midfielder. Which is fine. I think we are passed the point of expecting him to be.

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That said, if Unai Emery is willing to invest more of the summer budget into the Swiss midfielder, then clearly he understands what Xhaka is all about, how best to use him, and how to maximize his abilities for the betterment of the entire team as a unit.

And, if Xhaka is willing to sign on despite the, often ridiculous, hatred, then he buys into the message that Emery is spreading, particularly pertaining to the two of them and how they can work together.

It wasn’t that long ago that there was some fears that he could be sold. Fears from my point of view, hopes from the unenlightened.

Now that he is staying, and he has the investment of the team and the team has his investment of his future, through his prime years – which is a huge deal – I think it’s safe to say that the arduous, often painful, Granit Xhaka dark years are coming to an end.

Xhaka has a manager that believes in him and knows how to use him, the skills to do whatever needs to be done (other than win a race) and the faith of the organization to be the right man for the long haul. Maybe even the captain.

Next: 3 Players Impacted By Lucas Torreira Arrival

Let’s have ourselves an Enlightenment. Xhaka for captain. Amen.