Jason McAteer says Granit Xhaka was ‘trouble’ for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal and they did very well to sell him and replace him with Declan Rice.
The former Liverpool player says Declan Rice is a ‘brilliant’ signing and he is someone that is a ‘massive plus’ for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The Premier League title contenders paid a club-record transfer for the 24-year-old, with Granit Xhaka heading for the exit door and joining Bayern Leverkusen, as McAteer added that the Englishman is an ‘upgrade’, as he told beIN SPORTS.
Last season, Xhaka produced one of his best seasons as an Arsenal player, in fact, you could probably argue that it was his best.
That player that was once stripped of the captain’s armband and whose future at the club was going to end in a brutal fashion, ended with the 30-year-old being called a ‘legend’ by fans.
But McAteer wasn’t having the player and thinks the right call was made to part ways with him.
“Brilliant (signing),” said McAteer. “Not just for Declan Rice. Mikel Arteta identified who he wanted very, very early on, even towards the end of last season, who he wanted and he went and got his boys.
“He got his players. He had had plenty of time to work with them in pre-season, which is a massive plus. Massive plus.
“Declan Rice is exactly what they needed. Granit Xhaka was ageing. Trouble at times in the Arsenal camp. Declan Rice is certainly an upgrade on him.
“I like what they have done getting Xhaka out. It would have put a bit of pressure on Declan Rice because he’s an old head in a dressing room, Xhaka. He would have had the ears of a few players. His game time would have been limited. It could have put a lot of pressure on Declan Rice. But he has gone and Rice is fully-fledged in the team.”
Xhaka underrated at Arsenal
A player who wore his heart on his sleeve and always put himself on the line for the club, he was a marmite figure during his time at Arsenal.
Xhaka should be credited for turning things around because most people would have taken the easy option and walked out of the door.
An undervalued and underrated figure, he left Arsenal with his head held high and someone that will be hugely missed, more so for his leadership skills, next season.
The post ‘Brilliant signing’: Arsenal told Arteta has ‘upgraded’ on 30-year-old who was ‘trouble’ appeared first on HITC.
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