Arsenal: Granit Xhaka missing one last, vital piece

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka is having himself an emotional World Cup, which segways into the one thing he is still missing at the Emirates.

Granit Xhaka has had a tumultuous start to life at Arsenal. Despite his improvements, “fans” are still quick to dismiss him as a waste.

In the meantime, Xhaka is having himself an emotional World Cup. Down 1-0 to Serbia, Xhaka stepped up with a rocket shot and let loose an emotionally-charged goal celebration that many are pointing to as a political statement.

In response to the chatter, Xhaka pointed out that it was nothing more than an emotional moment for his people that had always supported him.

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And that got me to thinking. What would happen at Arsenal if he actually had the support of the fanbase? You can’t recreate the feeling of playing for one’s nation – not at a club level. But you can at least build a foundation of support, and that is something that any player needs.

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Speaking of what players need, Xhaka has everything else. He now has his preferred number – the number tattooed on his back – No. 34.

He has his new long-term deal as the new era commences, securing him a place at the club for years to come, as Unai Emery builds his new project.

All that Xhaka is missing is simply that – the unquestionable support of the fans. Fans are such an important part of a players’ psyche. That’s why so many players don’t indulge the “fans” on social media when the negativity comes about. But you can be sure they know what people are saying, no matter how much they try to avoid it.

Xhaka knows what people say about him. He even disallowed comments on one Instagram post after receiving death threats from people that were supposedly Arsenal fans, but were in fact not. Because no fan would do that.

Ideally, you want a guy who can get out on the pitch and not think about that, but knowing that there are fake fans out there like that has to have its effect on a players mind when he heads into any given matchday.

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It seems like such a simple ask, but it never is. Give Xhaka the support he deserves and he will do more than he has already done. You can see the passion he has for the game, and for those who support him. And while it isn’t the same as it is on the national level, it can make a difference. A big one.