Mikel Arteta hailed Granit Xhaka after Arsenal sealed qualification for the knock-out rounds of the Europa League as the Swiss midfielder’s transformation continues.

In a game that never felt like it was out of Arsenal’s control, Granit Xhaka was the man to break the deadlock in the 71st minute of Arsenal’s rearranged Europa League game against PSV Eindhoven.

His smooth strike from just inside the box was his third goal of the season as his fantastic form continues. Xhaka has now scored as many as he managed in the previous three seasons combined. He is just one short of the four he scored in the 18/19 season.

Xhaka’s yellow card, his second in the competition, was a flash back to the Granit of old, but it was also funny.

Asked by reported about Xhaka scoring while being captain, Arteta said after the game, “He deserves that, he has faced adversity in difficult moments, he has put his arm up when he had something different to do, his work ethic, the way he is as a person, the way he treats everyone around the club, and the love for this football club and profession is unquestionable, he fully deserves that and I’m really happy to see him enjoying his career.

“He does [add to his game] and we believed he had the qualities to do that, and sometimes it’s just unlocking something in the players mind and be more open and be receptive to all the things, he’s been extremely open and his work rate all the time to learn is fantastic, and now I think it’s paying off.”