Mikel Arteta believes that Granit Xhaka will use his time on the sidelines to evolve and develop in other areas, although he doesn’t say what those areas are.

Granit Xhaka after suffering an injury (Photo via Arsenal.com)
Granit Xhaka after suffering an injury (Photo via Arsenal.com)

Against Tottenham last weekend, Granit Xhaka was injured when Thomas Partey pushed Lucas Moura over and the Spurs man landed awkwardly on Xhaka’s leg.

As the slo-mos showed us Xhaka’s leg bending in ways it wasn’t meant to, we all knew he would be out of action for a while.

The only question was ‘how much of a while?’

“Obviously, it’s really bad news personally for Granit,” Arteta said.

“He’s had a couple of incidents already this season with Covid, with suspension and now with long-term injury.

“It’s obviously a significant injury but he probably escaped an even worse injury than he could have had from the action because that action for the cruciate ligament is a tricky one.

“It’s what it is. His mentality is top. He knows what he needs to do now.

“He’s a strong man and he will use this time to focus on other things and I’m sure he will be back in the right place when he’s back.

“Obviously, he’s a big player for us, someone who is really important, and he will be missed. Other players have to step in.

“He will evolve and develop in other areas.

“This is the first big injury he has had, we are here to help him and I am sure we will find other ways around the team because we have other really good players who will step in and do the job.”

Granit Xhaka injury history

Granit Xhaka wearing protective leg gear after his injury (Photo via Leonita Xhaka on Instagram)
Granit Xhaka wearing protective leg gear after his injury (Photo via Leonita Xhaka on Instagram)

Before this latest injury that will keep Granit Xhaka out of action until the new year, he had missed only 19 games through injury since he arrived in the summer of 2016.

Season Injury From To Days out Games
19/20 Ankle Injury Jun 18, 2020 Jun 24, 2020 6 days 1
19/20 Concussion Dec 9, 2019 Dec 17, 2019 8 days 3
19/20 Back Injury Aug 12, 2019 Aug 23, 2019 11 days 1
18/19 Bruised Rib Apr 19, 2019 Apr 23, 2019 4 days 1
18/19 Groin Injury Mar 28, 2019 Apr 15, 2019 18 days 4
18/19 groin strain Jan 30, 2019 Feb 23, 2019 24 days 4
17/18 Bruised Knee May 31, 2018 Jun 4, 2018 4 days
17/18 Flu Apr 10, 2018 Apr 15, 2018 5 days 2
16/17 Ankle Injury Apr 30, 2017 May 10, 2017 10 days 3

 

He has, of course, also missed 15 games through suspensions, as well.