Granit Xhaka was ‘in difficult place’ after red card but has been ‘phenomenal’ for Arsenal, says Mikel Arteta

The Swiss midfielder has often been criticised for a lack of discipline

Granit Xhaka of Arsenal (Getty Images)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has paid tribute to central midfield man Granit Xhaka for the way the 28-year-old has bounced back from his latest disciplinary issue.

The 85-cap Switzerland international has a long history of causing his own problems through a lack of concentration or maturity on the pitch, most notably culminating in his run-in with his own supporters around a year ago after being subbed off.

Stripped of the captaincy and left out of the team, his Arsenal career looked over at that stage, but Arteta has brought him back into the fold.

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Xhaka has played 14 Premier League games for the Gunners this season, but another indiscretion saw him sent-off in the dismal defeat to Burnley in December after grabbing Ashley Westwood by the throat, a red card offence Arteta at the time described as “unacceptable”.

However, the boss restored Xhaka to the team again following his suspension and Arteta says the performance level is far better from his midfielder now, having had to overcome a few struggles initially following the dismissal.

“After the red card and with the history that he had, he was in a difficult place and we had to try and bring him back where we believe he can be and where he should be – which is being one of the leaders of the team and giving us stability and the presence he can provide to the team and to the club," Arteta said.

“I think since he’s been back he’s been phenomenal; he’s playing really, really well.

"Against Palace, he had some really important moments and he’s still young. He’s still a player who can evolve. It’s great for us to have him back.”

Xhaka’s return has coincided with an upturn in fortunes for Arsenal, who are unbeaten in the last four.

They can return to the top half of the league table if they beat Newcastle United on Monday night, who the Gunners recently knocked out of the FA Cup.