Arsenal FC did not buy a single outfield player last summer transfer window. Their only signing of note in the 2015 summer was goalkeeper Petr Cech, who won the golden gloves award. The Gunners are off to a more eventful and interesting start in 2016 as they have announced their first signing of the summer just a little over a week after the season concluded.
Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger landed Granit Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach, reportedly for £35 million.
Johan Djourou, a current teammate Switzerland teammate with Xhaka as the 2016 European Championships approach, has compared the new member of the Gunners to iconic Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo, saying to Sky Sports:
“He’s got this ability to play very long balls, very precise balls, and I always say he reminds me a bit of Pirlo, the way he plays.
“He’s got the ability to play the Arsenal way. He’s got this aggressiveness about him that will help him in the Premier League, and he’s a great ball player and ball winner as well.”
Pirlo, a 37-year-old former Juventus star now plying his trade in MLS like so many iconic players do their twilight years, is indeed an analogy that must be considered high praise. Gunners fans should get excited by what Djourou, who himself played for the North London side 2013-14, had to say about the new acquisition.
At the time time of the signing, Sky Sports quotes Wenger describing Xhaka thusly:
“Granit is an exciting young player, already with good Champions League and Bundesliga experience.”
“We have been watching him for a long time now and he is a player who will add quality to our squad.”
“We wish Granit a good Euro 2016 with Switzerland and look forward to welcoming him to Arsenal ahead of next season.”
Granit Xhaka is a 6’1″ 181 pound midfielder who could help add to depth within a position group that has been ravaged by injuries this past season. Days before the signing was confirmed, photos emerged online last week of Xhaka wearing a full Arsenal kit. You can’t really ask for a more clear, definitive signal than that!
Here’s more on that new Gunners uniform that Xhaka was spotted wearing.
Djourou said he gave Xhaka some advice about living life in London and at playing at the Emirates.
“He asked me a lot of things about London, the club, and I could only say great things about it because I had a great experience there.”
“I think that the people at the club are just amazing, and those who run the club as well. I think he’s going to have a great time.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
He also consistently appears on numerous talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram