• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
"I find Granit Xhaka confrontational, overly aggressive and altogether irritating"

Home> Football

Updated 14:43 20 Sep 2022 GMT+1Published 14:32 20 Sep 2022 GMT+1

"I find Granit Xhaka confrontational, overly aggressive and altogether irritating"

Xhaka has been a revelation this season, but one BBC Sport pundit hasn't held back.

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has been reborn this season, but BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks still isn't a fan.

The 29-year-old captained the Gunners to a 3-0 victory over Brentford on Sunday afternoon and it's completed a remarkable turnaround.

Advert

Back in 2019, Xhaka was booed off the pitch during a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace and threw his shirt to the ground in anger.

He was stripped of the captaincy and looked set to leave, until manager Mikel Arteta convinced the Switzerland international to stick around.

Xhaka has gone on to become an important part of Arteta's team and now plays a box to box role, rather than as a holding midfielder.

Image
Alamy

Advert

He's still got his doubters though. Crooks called Xhaka's performance at the Gtech Community Stadium 'very impressive' before admitting he flat out doesn't like him.

Crooks wrote in his Team of the Week column: "I don’t like Granit Xhaka. I find him confrontational, overly aggressive and altogether irritating.

"Nevertheless, on his day he’s a very good player. He should have left Arsenal years ago.

"However, for some reason he has not only stayed at the club, but also occasionally wears the captain’s armband, such is his popularity these days.

Advert

"Against Brentford he looked very impressive and so did Arsenal.

Image
Alamy

"I would like to know why Brentford didn’t look up for this game, but the Gunners were so good I rather suspect that even if they had it wouldn’t have changed anything – Arsenal were that good. Most worrying."

Xhaka whipped in a lovely cross for Gabriel Jesus' header after William Saliba put the away side ahead inside 17 minutes.

Advert

Fabio Vieira, making his first Premier League start after an injury to Martin Odegaard, fired home a third just after the break.

In a message posted to Instagram, Xhaka said: "Hey guys, Granit here. Great win, great result, thanks for your support.

"You’ve been amazing but as well for myself to hear what happened today, to say my name, to sing the song for me.

Advert

"It’s a very, very special day and thank you again, see you soon. All the best guys."

Arsenal go into the international break top of the league, one point clear of champions Manchester City and bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

SPORTbible Stories is the brand-new podcast from the SPORT team at LADbible. The first episode features a chat with former Burnley manager Sean Dyche as he opens up on his departure from Turf Moor, what the future holds and the amazing story of the spin wheel for fines while in charge of the Clarets. You can watch the first episode here.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Arsenal, Granit Xhaka, Premier League

Daniel Marland
Daniel Marland

Daniel is a social editor for SPORTbible after moving from the writing team. Nearly scored past Stormzy at Old Trafford once.

X

@DanMarland_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
  • an hour ago

    Thomas Frank could immediately axe four Tottenham players including club legend in ruthless summer overhaul

    Frank was confirmed as the new head coach of Spurs on Thursday and could soon mix up his squad.

    Football
  • an hour ago

    Ex-England and Man City midfielder Trevor Sinclair declared bankrupt after 'burying head in sand' over tax debt

    Sinclair, who made 12 appearances for England, did not turn up at court this week.

    Football
  • an hour ago

    Jamie Vardy didn't hesitate naming toughest defender he faced in Premier League who 'frightened' him

    The Premier League legend had only one name in mind.

    Football
  • an hour ago

    Bryan Mbeumo sends Man Utd fans into meltdown with post minutes after Tottenham transfer hijack report

    Mbeumo has been linked with both United and Tottenham.

    Football
  • Granit Xhaka loses it with Bayer Leverkusen fans after shock German cup defeat to third-tier Arminia Bielefeld
  • Granit Xhaka scores instant Puskas Award contender for Bayer Leverkusen with stunning long-range strike
  • Granit Xhaka calls out Michael Oliver in post-match interview after controversial penalty during Bayern Munich vs Bayer Leverkusen
  • Granit Xhaka Gets Sent Off Vs Liverpool In True Granit Xhaka Fashion