Xhaka "comfortable" at Arsenal

Granit Xhaka has opened up on the challenge he faced in moving to the Premier League but feels much more comfortable now.

The midfielder struggled to impress after a big-money move from Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer of 2016, with his ill-discipline seeing him endure a couple of suspensions.

After the 24-year-old was dismissed twice and booked on twelve occasions last season, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger openly questioned his ability to tackle.

However, at the end of last season the Swiss international began to show glimpses of the form which earned him his move to Arsenal and he admits he took time to adjust to his new surroundings.

“I think every player needs time to adjust to a new league, a new country and new team-mates,” he said.

“The back end of last season I already felt good and I am feeling more comfortable now and want to help the team as much as I can this season as well.

“I know it has been criticised but my style of play is to be aggressive. My two red cards can be discussed, were they necessary or not, but I am hoping to have less cards this season and build on the end of last season where I already had less.

“I’m a player who likes to have the ball, dictate the play.

“The fans knew that and the club did too, that is probably why they got me but there is another side to my game as well – that is being aggressive and fighting in the duels.”

Xhaka's excellent creative display in Arsenal's opening night 4-3 comeback victory over Leicester City earned praise from club legend Thierry Henry and the midfielder admits it was a big boost for him.

“I heard that and it is an honour for a player like Thierry to say that about me and give me that compliment,” he said.

“I watch the analysis and saw the comments, of course for me it is my aim to get [Alexandre] Lacazette in the game as well as all the players in front of me, in the next few weeks hopefully it’ll get better and I can do that.

“I think in previous years I have shown I can handle responsibility and take responsibility.

“I say things on the pitch, play in an aggressive style and I think I am suited to football in England.

“I think I have shown since I have been here that I am someone who likes having the ball, dictating the play, looking for my team-mates. I’m what we call a ‘six’ in Germany, a quite aggressive, deep-lying playmaker.

“Last season we won 4-1 at Stoke and played really well and we know what to expect and are ready for it.

“We know how strong they are, they have a lot of aggression in their game but I’m sure if we play our game, do what we do, we can win.”

Stoke City host Arsenal in the Saturday evening game. You can watch it live on BT Sport, kick-off at 5.30pm.

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