Granit Xhaka has achieved half a redemption, by being given a vice captain role, along with Gabriel Jesus to help club captain Martin Odegaard.
Mikel Arteta said in April on the Palace debacle. “I didn’t want to see him leave that way. I think it was a little bit like running away from a difficult situation and I didn’t think that reflected the personality or character of Granit. So, I am glad that he has stayed, and I am very impressed that he has been able talk with that maturity about the situation.”
On Jesus’s promotion to vice-captain, Arteta said: “Start with his character, the person, the smile and what he represents as a human being,” he said. “Then he’s an incredible professional, with his work ethic and enthusiasm.
“You will see it the first day he puts on his boots and enters the training pitch; he has the enthusiasm that he is going to create on his own on that pitch… he is used to winning and he knows that winning is the only way to do it. I think he will set different standards.”
Martin Odegaard seems happy enough with the situation: “Yeah of course it’s important that we all take leadership, it’s not just about me or a few people but I think everyone needs to take the leadership and do what’s best for the team, so everyone has to do that.”
In terms of Xhaka’s playing role, the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko has shifted it. In possession, the Ukrainian has pushed high and tucked in to join the midfield with Ben White meaning Arsenal playing a 2-3-5, with Xhaka joining Odegaard at the front of the attack.
He told the ES: “I spoke with the coach before the season and he told me that I have more freedom than last season.”
“I can move, not wherever I want because I have to have a lot of discipline to move for Alex [Zinchenko] and [Gabriel] Martinelli as well.
“I’ve got more freedom to go up and down. I know I can do that. I have a lot of freedom from the coach, from my teammates.
“At the moment I’m happy with how everything is going. Let’s continue to work like this and hopefully at the end of the season we can be more than happy.
The Youri Tielemans to Arsenal transfer saga is getting stale. And as some commentators are saying why have a third right footed/ right sided midfielder, with Odegaard and Vieira already ensconced.
The Times reports that unless Leicester get a bid soon, they will keep him and let him go on a free at the end of the season.
Leicester want to tie him to a new deal, but to date he has refused. It has been reported that the Belgian has agreed personal terms with Arsenal, who are yet to put in a bid. And if it meets Leicester’s valuation, he will go.
Meanwhile, reports say Arsenal are interested in the Brighton and Ecuadorian midfielder, Moises Caicedo, who performed well against them. Numerous other clubs are interested, including West Ham and Man United. But why would Brighton sell, when they don’t need to?
In loan watch, Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has put in mixed performances at Crewe Alexandra with the team gaining two wins and two defeats.
His manager Alex Morris says: ““He had a very composed start in the first two games, he needs to have done better in the last two in terms of some of the goals conceded. But he is learning and the challenge for him now Dave Richards is nearing fitness is he has to hold his place down.
“You hold your place down by performing well and being mistake free. He hasn’t managed to do that, like many players in the last two games, so that is the challenge for Arthur.
“He is coming into an environment where he is fighting for his place. In the environment he has come from, under-23s football, I am sure you have more of a guarantee of your place regardless of form. Those are the reasons why Arsenal have sent him to us, to pick up those types of background experiences.”