sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Granit Xhaka's incredible team talk before Spurs win has gone viral, he's a natural leader
Home>Football
Updated 20:03 16 Jan 2023 GMTPublished 20:01 16 Jan 2023 GMT

Granit Xhaka's incredible team talk before Spurs win has gone viral, he's a natural leader

Granit Xhaka lost the captaincy in 2019 but he's been reborn and has a huge role in Arsenal's table-topping side.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Granit Xhaka's team talk before Arsenal's 2-0 derby win over Spurs has gone viral, with the Swiss skipper's leadership skills clear to see.

The former Borussia Monchengladbach man was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy in 2019 for angrily responding to being booed by his own supporters in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.

Under Mikel Arteta he's been completely reborn and his relationship with the Arsenal supporters is the strongest it has ever been.

While previously he let the team down by getting sent off, he's been incredibly disciplined in recent times and grown into a key player in Arsenal's title charge.

Advert

And on Sunday, footage of Xhaka motivating his teammates prior to a crunch clash with rivals Spurs went down a treat with Gunners fans.

The team were stretching off in a circle on the pitch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the clip, filmed by TV presenter Alison Bender and with millions of views on social media, shows Xhaka reminding his colleagues of the standards they must meet.

You can't hear exactly what instructions are being provided by Xhaka but he's extremely intense and animated, using his hands with plenty of gesticulation.

Martin Odegaard is Arsenal's captain and has been in sensational form this term, but his style is more about leading by example.

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

The above video highlights the important role Xhaka has and Arsenal fans very much enjoyed what they saw.

One said: "How Xhaka turned his career around is admirable."

A second commented: "Has anyone ever had a greater remontada in football than Granit Xhaka? He went from THE most hated player to the most respected in the entire squad."

A third added: "Even through his hardest Arsenal moments, he's stood strong & been a leader. His presence in & around the club is so important."

A fourth stated: "If* we win the league, I would love it to be him and Odegaard lifting the trophy together. The ultimate zero to hero story in football that I doubt could be topped."

A fifth opined: "I know Odegaard is captain but in reality it’s Xhaka and it’s always been Xhaka. Wenger found him, Arteta unlocked him. I’ve always loved him, what a guy."

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

Arsenal moved eight points clear at the top of the table with a 2-0 win achieved through a Hugo Lloris own goal and a fine strike from Odegaard.

There were some ugly scenes at the end as goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale was assaulted by a Spurs fan as he collected his water bottle.

A commotion between both sets of players ensued but when Xhaka got involved, Arteta sprinted over to take him away.

Arsenal's stars eventually went over to their own fans and passionately celebrated.

Featured Image Credit: Alison Bender

Topics: Granit Xhaka, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League

Josh Lawless
Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and WWE. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has covered two WrestleMania events for SPORTbible.

X

@joshlawless_

Recommended reads

'I’ll smash up my next few opponents': Daniel Dubois talks Fury vs Joshua, Jake Paul crossover and avenging Usyk defeatsBrooks Running'I don't want to be missing anymore' - Jamie Vardy drops retirement hint as he talks Netflix documentaryNetflix / Untold UK: Jamie VardyFormer Man Utd No.2 suggests only reason Michael Carrick would not get the full-time jobGetty ImagesVinnie Jones ‘would love’ for rags to riches life story to be made into movie as he talks Netflix documentaryNetflix

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • The United Strand/Instagram
    an hour ago

    The United Strand's first post after Man Utd draw snatches away chance of haircut this season

    Football can be a cruel, cruel game at times.

    Football
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    Iran issue statement on World Cup participation as ultimatum put to FIFA and Trump

    The Iranian Football Federation have reached a verdict.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Man Utd fans decide two players need to go this summer

    Fans have taken to social media to suggest which two players need to leave Manchester United this summer.

    Football
  • Getty
    2 hours ago

    Alvaro Arbeloa has 'confronted' six Real Madrid stars amid brutal nickname reports

    Arbeloa has been at the centre of various dressing room reports coming out of Real Madrid in recent weeks.

    Football
  • Spurs' first post after winning first Premier League game of 2026 has divided supporters
  • Barcelona 'planning' raid on five Spurs players if they get relegated
  • Spurs fans rage at VAR decision that could cost them Premier League survival
  • Spurs Fans Want Player Gone Immediately After Arsenal Loss As Replacement Named