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Granit Xhaka can be a long-term left back at Arsenal, claims former England and Tottenham manager Glenn Hoddle.
The Swiss midfielder played as a makeshift left-back during Arsenal’s 3-1 comeback win over Leicester City on Monday.
The Gunners were without Nacho Monreal and Sead Kolasinac due to injury and the experienced Stephan Lichtsteiner, naturally a right-back, was struggling on the left-hand side.
And Hoddle believes the 26 year-old may have stumbled upon his best position.
“It’s a lot simpler for him (at left-back),” Hoddle said on BT Sport.
“When he’s got the ball, everything’s inside him. Unless he’s got a flying winger that he’s got to get tight on early, it’s a lot simpler, everything’s inside.
Glenn Hoddle can see Xhaka operating at left-back
“In midfield, the centre of midfield, you’ve got 360 degrees, everything’s going on around you.
“You’ve got to have eyes in the back of your head and he hasn’t got that I’m afraid.
“Playing left-back you can see everything, defensively and he’ll get time on the ball.
“Your left and right-back nowadays push on and he will enjoy playing that.
“Whether long-term he can be the answer for that, he’s got a lovely frame on the back post, as a centre-back you’d love him on the back post clearing headers away.
“So he might actually end up as Arsenal’s left-back.
Xhaka has taken some stick from fans in his opening few years with the club. However, the arrival of Lucas Torreira appears to have been the catalyst for the Swiss international to find a rhythm in the heart of Arsenal’s midfield.
Gooners, what did you make of Xhaka at left-back? Let us know in the comments…
