Granit Xhaka believes that Alexis Sanchez can be a ‘good role’ model for younger players while warning against complacency against Burnley.

Xhaka has been at Arsenal for half a season and despite a gradual bedding in process, the talented Swiss international established his first-team credentials. Has now completed 90 minutes of Premier League football on nine consecutive occasions as one of the Gunners’ bonafide box-to-box midfield players.

The 24-year-old, who is once more expected to feature from the start against Burnley on Sunday, has stated his belief that Alexis Sánchez has the capabilities to inspire younger players.

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SWANSEA, WALES – JANUARY 14: Alexis’s workrate was on display once more as Arsenal’s second-half display in south Wales ensured all three points, despite suggestions the Chilean is unsettled after his reaction to being substituted in the latter stages. (Photo source: Stu Forster / Getty Images)

This doesn’t come as much of a surprise but instead is more welcoming, especially coming from someone who has experienced the surroundings first-hand and already knows more about Alexis than most people, who continue to speculate whether he’s settled or preparing for a move away from the Emirates in the not-too-distant future.

As quoted by the club’s official website, Xhaka had this to say about his attack-minded teammate: “I think Alexis can be a good role model, because he always pushes himself to his limits, no matter if it’s in training or in a match.

“He can be a good role model for the young players.”

The talented Chilean, 28, netted a well-taken strike from close-range against Swansea last weekend and ahead of Sunday’s clash, Xhaka was refreshingly honest upon reflection about the hard-fought victory that Arsenal snatched at Turf Moor in the most recent meeting between the two sides. He remained bullish, however, about the Gunners’ chances of securing another victory against Sean Dyche’s side.

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BURNLEY, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 02: Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrates his side’s first goal after teammate Laurent Koscielny scored during their Premier League match against Burnley at Turf Moor. (Photo by Alex Livesey / Getty Images)

“It was important to win the way we did at Swansea, because we know we have these two home games coming up against Burnley and Watford… I think the next three games could tell a lot about what sort of direction we’ll go in this season,” Xhaka revealed.

“We noticed already in the first game that it was really tough at their place. We needed a late goal to win. They play direct, they’re compact defensively as well and that makes it difficult. But we’re playing at home and we need the three points.”