Arsenal: 3 improvements Granit Xhaka must make to continue progress

2. Take shots!

It’s the small things, right? But aside from the small things, the little nitpicky mistakes he still makes, there’s also what Xhaka used to do that he isn’t doing so much of anymore. And I do suspect I know why.

When Xhaka first arrived, he took too many shots. Way too many. And when he did score, it was spectacular, but even then he warned us that this wasn’t something to get used to. Still, the thrill of a long shot is something special and he has been completely unwilling to take a crack. His shots per game have dropped off to 0.4, which is the lowest in his entire career.

I don’t want him to start taking potshots every chance he gets, but he is a threat from distance. I suspect that the fallout with fans plays a big part in that drop-off, as you gotta be feeling confident to take a shot from distance and I’m sure a part of him doesn’t feel fully confident yet in front of a fanbase that treated him so poorly.

But that confidence is coming back now and I want to see some sizzlers!

Speaking of missing traits, how about No. 1?