Granit Xhaka

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with Granit Xhaka during a training session at London Colney on December 29, 2022 in St Albans, England.Mikel Arteta has revealed the reason why Granit Xhaka was absent from Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Southampton on Friday evening. The Swiss international was omitted from the Gunners’ matchday squad against the bottom-of-the-table due to illness. He was replaced by Portuguese Fabio Vieira alongside Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard in midfield. It was one of two changes to the side that drew 2-2 with West Ham last week. Oleksandr Zinchenko returned to the starting XI at left-back with Kieran Tierney dropping down to the bench. Speaking to Sky Sports before the game, Arteta said: “Very different qualities, this morning unfortunately Granit [Xhaka]...

Arsenal's Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka controls the ball during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on October 23, 2022.Premier League leaders Arsenal dropped points for only the second time this season as Stuart Armstrong’s second-half equaliser earned Southampton a hard-earned point at St Mary’s. Armstrong finished off a flowing team move involving Adam Armstrong and Mohamed Elyounoussi to stretch Saints’ unbeaten league run to three matches.Granit Xhaka had given the Gunners an early lead with his second goal in as many games, sweeping the ball first time into the roof of the net from Ben White’s low delivery. The effervescent Gabriel Martinelli had a shot deflected wide and Gabriel Jesus was de...

Granit Xhaka

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta explains why Xhaka misses clash with Southampton

Leaders Arsenal held at battling Southampton