Granit Xhaka Differs With Mikel Arteta in Candid Interview After West Ham Draw

Granit Xhaka Differs With Mikel Arteta in Candid Interview After West Ham Draw

Fred Kennedy
updated at April 18, 2023 at 7:22 AM
  • Mikel Arteta took issue with his players' mentality and lack of killer instinct during their draw against West Ham
  • However, Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has come out to publicly disagree with his manager
  • The Gunners will be back in action against Southampton in their next Premier League fixture

Granit Xhaka has publicly differed with Mikel Arteta in the wake of Arsenal's damaging draw against West Ham United on Sunday.

The Gunners surrendered a two-goal lead during the London derby to settle for a 2-2 draw in what was a huge blow to their bid to lift the title at the end of the season.

Gabriel Jesus and Martin Odegaard had earlier opened the scoring for the league leaders at the London Stadium.

Granit Xhaka applauds the Arsenal fans after the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. Photo by Stuart MacFarlane.
Granit Xhaka applauds the Arsenal fans after the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. Photo by Stuart MacFarlane.
Source: Getty Images

However, the hosts sprung a comeback via Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen to deny the north Londoners what should have been a routine win for them.

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Reacting to the result, a disappointed Mikel Arteta had no kind words for his charges as he questioned their mentality.

"We need to have that ruthless mindset to go and kill a team. When a team is there for the taking, we have to kill the team," Arteta said via Sky Sports.

Xhaka disagrees with Arteta

However, Xhaka has come out to publicly differ with Arteta's mentality theory after their capitulation against the Hammers.

According to the Swiss ace, Arsenal's failure to kill off the game had nothing to do with the players' mentality, with the midfielder urging togetherness as the season hits its homestretch.

“It is not about the mentality. For sure, it’s not," The Mirror quoted Xhaka saying.
"If something is not going well, it is easy to show the finger to someone else. Now, it is time to be together because there are seven games to go," he added.

What Arsenal must do to win EPL

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Arsenal are in danger of bottling this season's Premier League title after what has been an incredible campaign for them.

For weeks now, the Gunners have been the firm favourites to win this season's league, with reigning champions Man City forced to play catch-up.

Mikel Arteta's charges had appeared to take control of the title race as they had an eight-point cushion at the top.

Sports Brief now takes a look at five things that must happen for Arsenal to cart home the coveted crown.

Authors
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Fred Kennedy
Fred Kennedy has a Bachelor's degree in journalism (Daystar University), currently working as a Sports Editor. He has more than five years of experience in digital journalism.