Granit Xhaka’s 7 best moments in an Arsenal shirt

4. Super goal vs Manchester United (the second one)

23rd April 2022

This was a period when Xhaka had gotten a lot of the fans back onside and optimism regarding Mikel Arteta was on the rise again.

The Gunners put in a fantastic performance against a good Manchester United side and took a 2-0 lead, courtesy of goals from Nuno Tavares and Bukayo Saka. Cristiano Ronaldo then scored his 100th Premier League goal to put United just one goal behind.

United won a penalty for a Tavares handball but Bruno Fernandes sidefooted it onto the post. Despite Arsenal being the better team for the whole game, the contest was still in the balance.

That is until Xhaka shifted the ball to his left foot five yards away from the penalty area, picked his spot and fired off a rocket past a sprawling David De Gea. He then sprinted to the corner and completed an excellent knee slide, just to add to the occasion.

It was very similar to a goal scored five years earlier against De Gea, except the Spaniard didn’t stand a chance this time around.

There are few sights sweeter in life than watching a wonder goal being scored against Manchester United that guarantees victory. In fact, I can’t think of any right now.

https://twitter.com/TheAthleticFC/status/1576195482166374406

5. North London Derby strike

1st October 2022

Oh, I just thought of a sight that’s just as sweet: a goal guaranteeing victory against Tottenham. Once again, a fantastic performance led to Arsenal being ahead 2-0, but a Harry Kane penalty led to Spurs halving the deficit.

Then, Gabriel Martinelli dribbled inside towards the penalty area but pushed it too far. Xhaka takes it from the Brazilian, bears down on Hugo Lloris and slots the ball in the bottom right corner.

The Emirates erupts, Xhaka hits another knee slide (less impressive this time) and Spurs are dead and buried. Beautiful.

Continued on the next slide…