Arsenal: 3 reasons Granit Xhaka will be even better next season

2. The drama is behind him

When Granit Xhaka stormed off the pitch at the Emirates, feuding with home fans, there didn’t look to be any way back. He was exiled and his agent started talking about how they’d already essentially sealed a move to Hoffenheim in the winter transfer window. Just like that, the fans had finally won. Their hate and vitriol had driven Xhaka out of the club.

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Only it didn’t. Xhaka stayed, thanks to what must have been a tremendous conversation with Mikel Arteta, and nowadays, most fans have moved past what happened that day that cost Xhaka the armband.

Since that fallout and since the subsequent return to the starting XI, Xhaka has gotten better by leaps and bounds. He found his fantastic form from last year and improved upon it. It’s clear that he has left the drama behind him and it’s even more clear that he is ready to move forward with the club, even if he isn’t that interested in taking the armband again.

Being able to put an episode like this behind you is liberating. It just feels good. Xhaka has done that. There’s a new rapport between him and the fans and it’s all positive ahead.

Finally, No. 1.