Xhaka: 'Nobody will care about our performances if we win trophies'

Granit Xhaka insists nobody will care about Arsenal’s below-par displays if they win trophies at the end of the season… as the Gunners are forced to come from behind AGAIN in hard-fought draw against Sporting Lisbon

• Arsenal were far from their best during Thursday’s 2-2 draw with Sporting Lisbon
• The Gunners conceded another goal from a corner against the Portuguese side
• Midfielder Granit Xhaka urged that every game is difficult for Arsenal at this level

Granit Xhaka insists no one will be bothered about Arsenal’s performances if they end the season with silverware.

Mikel Arteta’s side battled back to draw 2-2 with Sporting in Thursday’s Europa League last-16 first leg before flying home ahead of Sunday’s trip to Fulham. Arsenal currently lead the Premier League by five points and will fancy their chances of reaching the last eight in Europe in next week’s second leg, too.

They lacked control and cohesion in Portugal but continue to pick up results despite not looking at their best.

Xhaka does not agree that Arsenal’s performances have dipped – ‘I have a different opinion’ – but the midfielder insisted: ‘You see the last games, the results, we won them. We have to respect all the opponents, even if Bournemouth is not top in the table. We know how difficult it is to play against them. 

‘Even in the Premier League you play against first or last, it’s the same. It’s difficult. But as long as you get the result, nobody will ask you at the end of May.’

No one will be bothered about Arsenal’s performances if they win trophies, says Granit Xhaka

Arsenal were far from their best during the 2-2 draw with Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League

Arsenal led through William Saliba’s early header but needed an own goal from Hidemasa Morita to rescue a point.

Arteta’s side were again undone at a set-piece and Xhaka said: ‘It’s too simple. One a set-piece, the other one we don’t take the runner. But everything starts at the front, if nobody or not all of us are ready on this level, you get punched.’

The Premier League leaders were missing several key players in Lisbon, with Martin Odegaard and Kieran Tierney both unwell and Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard both crocked.

Xhaka is relishing the return of Gabriel Jesus as injuries and illness test Arsenal’s ability to fight on two fronts. Jesus is nearing full fitness following knee surgery which has kept him out since the World Cup.

The Gunners conceded another cheap goal from a corner during the first leg of the last-16 tie

Xhaka admitted it was ‘too simple’ for Sporting to breach Arsenal’s defence from the corner

The forward, signed for £45million from Manchester City, was pivotal in the first half of Arsenal’s season and Xhaka said: ‘Because we lost Eddie as well, it’s much more important to have Gabi back. Leo as well is injured and he can play in this position.‘

Step by step, I hope that Gabi will be 100 per cent fit to help this team because we know that he can help us. With his attitude, with his personality, he is very, very important for us.’

Xhaka believes Arsenal have the squad depth to compete at home and in Europe, despite Arteta naming several kids on the bench against Sporting.

‘(There is) much more pressure than before, for sure, but in general, I think we are doing well,’ Xhaka added. ‘I think there is a good mentality in the team and let’s try to keep that.’

Source: Read Full Article