Granit Xhaka has been named by the CIES Football Observatory in the Premier League Best XI of the Season.

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka warms up during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park, London, England on 19 May 2021. Copyright: Phil Duncan
Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka warms up during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal at Selhurst Park, London, England on 19 May 2021. Copyright: Phil Duncan

While ESPN picked three Arsenal players for their Worst Premier League XI of the season, based on nothing more than who Ian Darke wanted to pick, the CIES Observatory have used real-world metrics to compile their selection.

CIES Football Observatory Premier League Best XI
CIES Football Observatory Premier League Best XI

While the midfielder comes in for a lot of abuse from fans, Xhaka has enjoyed a strong season, peppered with fewer than normal moments of total stupidity.

Only three other players featured during more minutes in the Premier League for Arsenal than Granit Xhaka (Bernd Leno, Rob Holding, Bukayo Saka) and only Leno and Saka made more starts.

With his two assists, he was even joint-seventh in that area.

Xhaka was also, predictably, second when it comes to yellow cards, although seven is a really good number for him (Hector Bellerin got the most with eight).

Xhaka was also one of five players to be sent off this season for Mikel Arteta’s men.