Arsenal fans won’t like this.
Granit Xhaka signed for Arsenal before Euro 2016, costing the Gunners around £30m from Borussia Monchengladbach and since then Gunners haven’t stopped fawning over his performances at this summer’s tournament in France.
The Swiss midfielder is technically gifted with a cultured left-foot – so an archetypal Arsenal player. But he is also fond of a tackle, and many feel he will provide some much needed steel to Arsenal’s engine-room.
And after putting in two man-of-the-match performances in his first two games for Switzerland in Group A, Arsenal fans are understandably excited.
However, Neil Lennon isn’t convinced and following Switzerland’s goalless draw with France made a rather unflattering comparison between the 23-year-old and a certain Stoke City and Scotland midfielder.
On BBC Radio 5 Live, Lennon said:
“I’ve not been that impressed. He [Xhaka] is all right. He reminds me of Charlie Adam.”
Adam has a had a decent career by any metric, but he’s not exactly going to be top of Arsenal’s transfer list.
Danny Murphy was another ex-pro to have his say on Xhaka. However, the Switzerland v France game may be one of the first times the BBC co-commentator has watched the midfielder.
Danny Murphy: "Xhaka's not the sort who'll get at you"
2015/16: 73 interceptions, 56 tackles and 90 headed duels won
Ok..
[via @Squawka]
— Rory Richman-Briggs (@rorybriggs_) June 19, 2016
