Xhaka reveals the first thing Unai Emery said to him after arriving at Arsenal
Soccer Football - Premier League - Crystal Palace v Arsenal - Selhurst Park, London, Britain - October 28, 2018 Arsenal's Granit Xhaka celebrates scoring their first goal with manager Unai Emery REUTERS/Eddie Keogh EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Granit Xhaka has recalled the first communication he had with Unai Emery following the Spaniard’s arrival at the Emirates.
Emery replaced Arsene Wenger this past summer and has enjoyed a positive start to tenure in north London.
The Gunners are in the fight for a top four spot, through to the knockout stages of the Europa League and have a Carabao Cup quarter-final date with Tottenham to come.
Xhaka appears to be blossoming under Emery and simultaneously warming to Arsenal fans.
And it’s fair to say the Swiss international is a big fan of his new manager.
The midfielder has revealed how the former Paris Saint-Germain manager immediately gave him a huge vote of confidence by declaring him as one of his captains.
‘I never had contact with him until after the World Cup,’ Xhaka admitted to Aargauer Zeitung, as translated by @afcstuff.
‘When I got back to training, the first thing he told me was, “Granit, you’re one of my five captains”.
‘I’m at one of the top ten clubs in the world so that makes you proud and gives you confidence.
Xhaka has netted two spectacular free-kicks so far this season – the makeshift right-back will be keen to continue his good form when the Gunners take on Bournemouth on Sunday.