Arsenal: Granit Xhaka showing what professionalism looks like

Arsenal fans couldn’t help but praise Granit Xhaka after Everton, as the Swiss midfielder is showing first hand what professionalism looks like.

Granit Xhaka is not accustomed to friendly headlines following Arsenal matches, but there was no hiding from it this time. People actually appreciated his performance against Everton. Albeit, his primary bit of praise stemmed from him not being one of the failures on the day, but hey, we’ll take what we can get, us Xhaka apologists.

Xhaka had a really good game, all things considered. He was solid with the ball, he looked forward, he used his right foot (wowza!) and he spread the ball in that way that only he can, where he drops a cross-pitch ball on a dime.

Also known as confidence. Exactly what we’ve been waiting to see from him since the start of the season. Even dating back to late last season when he returned from injury.

This performance came just days after Xhaka reportedly told his team that he would be leaving. Those reports haven’t been verified and they likely never will be. There’s a high likelihood that they’re erroneous reports, as they often are.

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Whether the reports are true or not, Xhaka is in a tumultuous place. But I’d wager quite a bit that he just wants to get back to regularity. He just wants to get back to helping out this club that, believe it or not, he cares quite deeply for.

Unlike some other senior players.

So assuming that Xhaka did tell everyone he wanted to leave, the fact that he came out and provided the backbone we needed in midfield is testament to his professionalism. If Xhaka didn’t tell everyone that he wanted to leave, he has still struggled this year with the fans on his back and for him to come out and provide the backbone is testament to his professionalism.

Whatever the situation, we are yet again reminded that Xhaka is an upstanding member of this team. he’s always quick to accept responsibility and stand up for what he believes in and he’s never a slacker. Don’t mistake a lack of speed with a lack of effort. That’s another part of the problem between Xhaka and the fans.

It wasn’t that long ago that I wanted Xhaka to be sold for his own good. But again I’m left questioning that assessment when I see how good he is for this team.