sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Granit Xhaka's incredible team talk before Spurs win has gone viral, he's a natural leader

Home> Football

Updated 20:03 16 Jan 2023 GMTPublished 20:01 16 Jan 2023 GMT

Granit Xhaka's incredible team talk before Spurs win has gone viral, he's a natural leader

Granit Xhaka lost the captaincy in 2019 but he's been reborn and has a huge role in Arsenal's table-topping side.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Granit Xhaka's team talk before Arsenal's 2-0 derby win over Spurs has gone viral, with the Swiss skipper's leadership skills clear to see.

The former Borussia Monchengladbach man was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy in 2019 for angrily responding to being booed by his own supporters in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.

Under Mikel Arteta he's been completely reborn and his relationship with the Arsenal supporters is the strongest it has ever been.

While previously he let the team down by getting sent off, he's been incredibly disciplined in recent times and grown into a key player in Arsenal's title charge.

Advert

And on Sunday, footage of Xhaka motivating his teammates prior to a crunch clash with rivals Spurs went down a treat with Gunners fans.

The team were stretching off in a circle on the pitch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the clip, filmed by TV presenter Alison Bender and with millions of views on social media, shows Xhaka reminding his colleagues of the standards they must meet.

You can't hear exactly what instructions are being provided by Xhaka but he's extremely intense and animated, using his hands with plenty of gesticulation.

Martin Odegaard is Arsenal's captain and has been in sensational form this term, but his style is more about leading by example.

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

The above video highlights the important role Xhaka has and Arsenal fans very much enjoyed what they saw.

One said: "How Xhaka turned his career around is admirable."

A second commented: "Has anyone ever had a greater remontada in football than Granit Xhaka? He went from THE most hated player to the most respected in the entire squad."

A third added: "Even through his hardest Arsenal moments, he's stood strong & been a leader. His presence in & around the club is so important."

A fourth stated: "If* we win the league, I would love it to be him and Odegaard lifting the trophy together. The ultimate zero to hero story in football that I doubt could be topped."

A fifth opined: "I know Odegaard is captain but in reality it’s Xhaka and it’s always been Xhaka. Wenger found him, Arteta unlocked him. I’ve always loved him, what a guy."

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

Arsenal moved eight points clear at the top of the table with a 2-0 win achieved through a Hugo Lloris own goal and a fine strike from Odegaard.

There were some ugly scenes at the end as goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was assaulted by a Spurs fan as he collected his water bottle.

A commotion between both sets of players ensued but when Xhaka got involved, Arteta sprinted over to take him away.

Arsenal's stars eventually went over to their own fans and passionately celebrated.

Featured Image Credit: Alison Bender

Topics: Granit Xhaka, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Recommended reads

Dennis Taylor interview: Why snooker legend is playing in brand-new event... and how he saved someone's lifeGettyRanking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

5 hours ago
7 hours ago
  • Twitter
    5 hours ago

    Arsenal fans demand UEFA action against Diego Simeone after seeing exactly what he did during VAR decision

    Fans have demanded action.

    Football
  • Getty Image
    5 hours ago

    Why Liam Rosenior will not receive £24 million in compensation after Chelsea sacking

    Rosenior was sacked by Chelsea just three months into a six-and-a-half year contract - but he won't be paid for all of it.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    5 hours ago

    Liverpool targeting £30m star that Arne Slot invited to his house

    Arne Slot is looking to bring a player worth £30 million he has attempted to sign previously to Liverpool this summer.

    Football
  • Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
    7 hours ago

    Key Kobbie Mainoo contract details emerge as new Man Utd wage clause revealed

    The Manchester United star has penned a new long-term deal.

    Football
  • Arsenal keen on £50m Spurs star as unthinkable transfer link emerges
  • Spurs' first post after winning first Premier League game of 2026 has divided supporters
  • Ange Postecoglou's honest response when asked if Spurs can avoid relegation live on TNT Sports
  • Barcelona 'planning' raid on five Spurs players if they get relegated