4) Xhaka is a natural leader
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Borussia Mönchengladbach had their worst ever start to the 2015/16 season when they lost the first five league games to leave them dead last. Manager Lucien Favre resigned soon after and Andre Schubert took over. With their captain Tony Jantschke injured, the first thing Schubert did was to hand the armband to Xhaka just a few days before his 23rd birthday.
“We chose Granit because he is a very important player for us,” Schubert had said. “He has quality but must also learn to take responsibility.”
The move worked wonders as Mönchengladbach stormed back into the race for Champions League spots. Xhaka led from the front, even scoring in his first game as captain. Under his leadership and Schubert’s tactical nous, Mönchengladbach eventually finished fourth and qualified for the Champions League playoff round.
To lead a team at just 23 is no joke. Wenger did the same thing with Cesc Fabregas and even though he didn’t have the necessary support in terms of quality players around him, the Spaniard did inspire them to top four finishes and Champions League football.
Xhaka can be a player entrusted with leading the team when the time comes and Wenger obviously needs a few more experienced and trustworthy heads in the middle of the park.
