While the likes of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have dominated the Arsenal news agenda in recent months, Granit Xhaka’s excellent displays have not gone unnoticed.


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The Switzerland international is enjoying arguably his best run of form in our colours, so what does he put it all down to?

“It is difficult to say if this is my best season, or if I’m just in good shape,” Xhaka told the media ahead of our Europa League clash against Benfica.

“The only thing I feel is I have a lot of confidence from the coach, I am in very good shape physically and as well mentally, and this is key to my game. For me everything has to be clear, what we want to do on the pitch and at the moment it is like this.

“The coach is helping me a lot, everyone knows he is one of the reasons why I am still at the club and I have a very good relationship with him and he is helping me every day, on the pitch and off the pitch. I am very thankful for him, because if you have a coach like this who gives you the confidence and the freedom, it is easier for the player.

“He was a midfielder so he knows the position exactly, this is very important for me because he can show me on the pitch my position, my body position with and without the ball, where I have to stay, how I can improve my game but as well the team’s game.

“For me everything is clear for what I have to do on the pitch and this is the most important thing for me to help the team. Of course from the outside some people speak and say this is not good or this is good, but in the end for me the most important thing is that the team, the manager and the staff are happy with me and of course myself. At the moment I feel very important for the team and I am in good shape.”