Arsenal: That’s three for Granit Xhaka and none for you

The haters are still whining about Granit Xhaka’s continued presence in the Arsenal starting XI, but Xhaka is currently winning the debate 3-0.

Every player has his haters, but Granit Xhaka has more than most. In case you haven’t noticed. The former Arsenal captain has now had his run-in with fans seemingly forgotten, aside from the missing armband, and Freddie Ljungberg restored him to the Premier League starting XI in the his first match in charge.

That’s a big statement. It’s a statement of trust, that a new manager would revert to a player he has complete faith in when he hasn’t had time to prepare.

Unai Emery did the same thing. Despite Xhaka seemingly not fitting into the typical Emery-esque player mold, he was constantly relied upon, named the captain, had the utmost faith invested in him in ushering in the new era of this football club.

Before that? Arsene Wenger did the absolute same thing, calling on him in every single match to be the base of that midfield and letting him acclimate to a tumultuous Premier League environment, no matter how much fans had to say.

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Which means that, by my count, Xhaka currently holds the sway of three Arsenal managers and you, the ever-hating haters, have zero.

What does that mean? Well, to you, that just means that three managers have been wrong. That the greatest manager in club history was wrong. That a manager with a winning track record was wrong. That a club legend and Invincible was wrong.

To me, and to the handfuls of supporters out there who understand the continued use of Xhaka, it means that you are wrong. But then again, we knew that years ago, and we still know that now. Say what you will about Xhaka, and you will continue to, no doubt, but some of the best names in the game trust him to be the center of their plans. They trust him to be a difference maker. And he repays that trust, with a few lapses, as all players inevitably have. But overall, this is a guy that you either get it, or you don’t.

As for me and my house, I’m quite glad to be sharing the company of three established minds, particularly Arsene Wenger. I’m glad that I get it. And if you ever need helping “getting it,” just shoot me a message and I’ll be happy to enlighten you.