Per Mertesacker: Xhaka Is A Leader, But He Needs To Perform To Earn Respect

Per Mertesacker gives us his take on Granit Xhaka…

Per Mertesacker sent a clear warning to new teammate Granit Xhaka following the midfielder’s arrival, with the German stating that Xhaka needs to perform to earn the respect of the dressing room.

After showering the Swiss star with praise, citing his leadership qualities and his wonderful ability on the ball which allows him to dictate from deep, Mertesacker is aware the performances in the Premier League are what matter.

“He’s got a good attitude,” Mertesacker said of his new teammate.

“He’s very composed on the ball and he’s a good passer. He’s going to set the tempo for is, I think.”

Any Arsenal observer will tell you that our season went down the drain following Santi Cazorla’s injury last season – Arsene Wenger’s chief conductor.

Wenger insists on playing football a certain way and if that’s the case, he needs the perfect jigsaws in each position for his philosophy to come to fruition.

Cazorla’s absence stripped us off a player capable of receiving the ball under pressure from midfield and freeing Mesut Ozil between the lines.

Xhaka’s arrival makes us less dependent on the make-shift Cazorla/Francis Coquelin axis.