Xhaka issues rallying call to under-fire Arsenal

Despite the under-fire Gunners losing their first two games of the season, Granit Xhaka insists nothing is set in stone yet.

Granit Xhaka has urged his Arsenal teammates to stick together and insists the season is far from over.

Criticism has been coming from all quarters following a nightmare start in the Premier League. Arsenal have lost both their opening games to Brentford and Chelsea. It’s left the club down in 19th in the standings, with no goals or points whatsoever.

But while acknowledging the disappointment, Xhaka remains confident he and his teammates can turn things around.

0 – In what is their 118th campaign in England's top four tiers, Arsenal have opened a league season with two defeats and no goals after two matches for the first time in their history. Damaged. pic.twitter.com/mlXMGzPLvt

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 22, 2021

“I don’t think the season is over after two games,” the Swiss midfielder told the club’s media. “We know we lost the two games and we are very disappointed, but we have still many, many, many games to go.

“A season never ends after two, three or four games. We know we have to do better things, but this will come soon, and as I say, we have to believe in each other so we can come out from this.”

While several underperforming stars have been criticized, Mikel Arteta has been hit the hardest. Many fans and critics alike are calling for a change in manager at Arsenal.

Asked if all this criticism can motivate the squad, Xhaka replied: “Of course. The other way is by staying together. A lot of people try to speak and to kill a little bit the players and the team. But the strongest thing to do at the moment is to be together, and only together will we be stronger and give the results on the pitch after.”

Xhaka also confirmed he has signed a new contract at Arsenal, which will reportedly last until June 2025.