Three years after clashing with fans, Arsenal now 'can't afford to leave Granit Xhaka out'

It is three years to the day that the Switzerland international swore at the Gunners fans as he made his way off the pitch in the 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.

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Supporters booed him as he gingerly made his way to the dugout after being substituted, leading Xhaka to cup his ears before telling the Arsenal faithful to 'f*** off'.

He then threw his shirt to the ground before storming down the tunnel, with the club subsequently stripping him of his captaincy.

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All signs pointed towards an exit in January 2020, before boss Mikel Arteta convinced him to remain in north London after he succeeded Unai Emery.

Fast forward to October 2022 and the 30-year-old is one of the first names on the team sheet, where he is thriving in his free-roaming No8 role.

Xhaka has already banged in four goals in all competitions this season - more than what he managed in his three previous campaigns combined.

And his relationship with supporters has never been stronger, with fans singing in unison 'we've got Granit Xhaka' throughout almost every match this term.

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Such is Xhaka's importance in the team, club legend Nigel Winterburn reckons the ex-Borussia Monchengladbach ace is a nailed-on starter under Arteta.

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT on behalf of FreeSuperTips, Winterburn was full of praise for the player after admitting he has previously been critical of him.

He said: "I think I've said in the past that he gets criticised for being a bit rash at times and being a bit hot-headed.

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"But there's no doubt that he is so well respected at the club.

"I've never had any contact with him but I can just see it by watching the games and looking at the games at half-time or full-time.

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"It appears to me and I'm sure a lot of people would agree that his role changed towards the end of last season and he's playing in a more advanced role.

"He just seems to be thriving from it and at the moment you would say that he's a player that Arsenal cannot afford to leave out of the team."

And despite not having the armband, teammate Gabriel Martinelli has revealed that it is Xhaka that is Arsenal's leader on the pitch, not Martin Odegaard.

Xhaka has often been seen gathering the Arsenal squad into a huddle after they have scored where he has delivered a team-talk.

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Commenting on the two-time FA Cup winner, Martinelli remarked: "He's the guy who always leads us on the pitch."

Before adding: "Xhaka is an amazing lad. You see how much he dedicates himself to the team, how much he cares about the match and the players as well - he is definitely one of our leaders."