Granit Xhaka scored a stunning 25-yard free-kick for Arsenal against Chelsea at the Emirates this evening.
The Swiss international has been heavily criticised for his displays this term but was a top performer for the Gunners in the first half against Frank Lampard's side.
And he capped off a fine 45 minutes in the London derby by curling a glorious set-piece over the wall and into the top corner with his left-foot.
Advert
Edouard Mendy dived to his left but was beaten by the well-placed effort from Xhaka, who doubled Arsenal's lead on the stroke of half-time.
Unstoppable! ๐ฑ Granit Xhaka leaves Edouard Mendy with absolutely no chance as he curls a superb free-kick into the top corner! ๐ฅ ๐บ Watch on Sky Sports PL ๐ฑ Follow #ARSCHE here: trib.al/CwUqlDT ๐ฒ Download the @SkySports app!
Alexandre Lacazette had put Mikel Arteta's struggling side 1-0 up from the spot after Reece James was adjudged to have fouled Kieran Tierney in the area.
Advert
Prior to Xhaka's worldie this evening, Arsenal's last direct free-kick was over a year ago when talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang found the net from a set-piece against Aston Villa in September 2019.
A third of Xhaka's nine Premier League goals have been from free-kicks. Tonight's strike was his first since he bagged against Crystal Palace in October 2018.
It was Xhaka's first game back following a three-match ban being imposed for grabbing Ashley Westwood's throat against Burnley and you could see how much the goal meant to the former Borussia Monchengladbach man and his teammates.
Featured Image Credit:Topics:ย Football News, Chelsea, Football, Granit Xhaka, Arsenal