Dietmar Hamann names Arsenal star who hasn’t lived up to expectations
The Liverpool FC legend raises questions Arsenal star Granit Xhaka after his ineffective performances since moving to the Emirates Stadium
Dietmar Hamann believes Granit Xhaka hasn’t lived up to expectations at Arsenal.
The Switzerland international was linked with a number of Premier League clubs before Arsenal signed the defensive midfielder in a £33m deal from Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach.
Xhaka captained the German club at the age of 22 to underline his temperament and performances for Monchengladbach during a three-season spell in the Bundesliga.
However, the Albanian-born defensive midfielder has struggled to adapt to the Premier League since his big-money move to the north London club in the 2016 summer transfer window.
Xhaka has cost Arsenal some goals due to his inept defensive performances after failing to protect the Arsenal defence despite being deployed in a holding role.
The Swiss star has often been a scapegoat for some disastrous Arsenal performances over the past 18 months or so.
While Hamann was an admirer of Xhaka during his Bundesliga career, the former Liverpool FC midfielder admitted that the defensive midfielder has failed to justify his price tag.
“It’s not really in their DNA containing teams, and I think that’s been the downfall in recent years,” Hamann told TAG Heuer.
“In Xhaka they have a very capable player who I’ve seen a lot in Germany and so far he’s done ok but I don’t think he really lived up to expectation.”
Xhaka has scored six times in 79 appearances in all competitions during his Arsenal career so far.
The Gunners lost 3-0 to runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City in the League Cup final at Wembley last weekend.
