Arsene Wenger delivers three-word verdict on new Arsenal signing’s debut
The Arsenal manager was pleased with Granit Xhaka's performance
Arsene Wenger praised Granit Xhaka’s performance after the midfielder helped Arsenal ease to a 2-1 win against an MLS All-Star side on Thursday evening.
The Switzerland international was a half-time substitute as the 23-year-old made his first appearance since completing a £33m move from Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach earlier this summer.
And Wenger, whose Gunners side secured a late win thanks to Chuba Apkom’s 86th-minute winner at Avaya Stadium, delivered a glowing review of the Swiss midfielder’s debut appearance.
“He adjusted well,” Wenger told his post-match media conference in San Jose.
Wenger added: “His passing was clean and technically he did well. Overall, it is encouraging for his first game.”
Arsenal broke the deadlock inside 10 minutes when Joel Campbell was fouled inside the area and the Costa Rican dispatched the ensuing spot-kick.
However, Didier Drogba, who scored a staggering 15 goals in 15 games against Arsenal during his Chelsea career, levelled on the stroke of half-time.
MORE: The latest Arsenal news and views
MORE: The latest Arsenal player tweets
The Ivory Coast striker was denied twice before the 36-year-old finally managed to beat his old Chelsea team-mate – Petr Cech – from close range.
But the Gunners managed to secure a win on American soil with four minutes remaining after Akpom converted Nacho Monreal’s late cross.
