Euro 2016: Have Arsenal secured a newfound gem in Granit Xhaka?

Despite failing to see his side make it through to those all-important quarter-final stages with a terribly executed spot-kick against Poland earlier on this competition, Granit Xhaka nonetheless stood out rather well among a decent Switzerland outfit who really could have achieved far more than what fate ultimately had in store at Euro 2016.

 

His overall skill-set may indeed arrive with a great deal of tenacity and destruction behind it when all is said and done, but as Arsenal have certainly failed to assert themselves from a physical point of view in recent years, such an outcome may turn out to be a blessing for Arsene Wenger’s side in the long run.

 

The early indications certainly look rather promising for Gunners fans at this particular stage in the proceedings…

 

Most passes by players aged 23 or under at #EURO2016

G.Xhaka (363)
P.Pogba (253)
E.Dier (238)
R.Rodriguez (189)
J.Kimmich (167)

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) 5 July 2016

 

…which has certainly served to ignite a newfound sense of excitement within the Emirates faithful this summer…

 

Note: We have made the perfect midfield signing in Xhaka and still have time to add the 2/3 more we need. Fingers crossed!

— Oli Price-Bates (@OliPriceBates) 9 July 2016

 

Some Arsenal fans have even taken things a bit too far rather predictably once again after Xhaka’s relatively impressive performances at Euro 2016…

 

Xhaka, Ramsey & Özil in this kind of form are better than any midfield United can buy. Fact.

— Pablo (@AFCAMDEN) 7 July 2016

 

That hasn’t stopped some Euro 2016 watchers from pointing a fair amount of criticism in the Switzerland international’s direction of late however…

 

Xhaka is the definition of overrated

— Marcel Owen (@marcel8wen) 25 June 2016

 

…especially after his second-round penalty miss against the Polish…

 

Granit Xhaka has also had a nothing match. Wonder how Arsenal fans will hype up this performance, they always find a way.

— Mayank (@StraightAtHim) 25 June 2016

 

Regardless of which way you look at it though, Arsenal’s newfound Swiss signing certainly has the potential to make a splash among the Premier League next season…

 

Enjoyed Xhaka last night. Shades of Edu to his game although think with Wenger's tutelage the potential is there to become a modern Petit.

— AFC_Andrew (@PR_WhoRu) 20 June 2016

 

…even if the man himself isn't quite guaranteed to make it without a little more hard work on his side…

 

Na, not for me #Xhaka

— Jamie Plummer (@Jampa9) 25 June 2016