Speaking to the media after Sunday's 3–0 win against Brentford, Mikel Arteta said: "I'm pleased with Granit Xhaka's consistency and how he goes about every day. What he’s learnt in different moments of his career.
"You see his willingness to always to stay humble, to look forward and try to get better and when you do that, normally good things happen. He was leading today, absolutely, and he was demanding it as well.
"He feels now that love and respect both ways. You see our supporters, the way they were singing to him as well, emotionally that makes him try to give even more. I’m really pleased for him because in my opinion he really deserves it."
Xhaka's Arsenal career appeared to be over in October 2019 when Arsenal fans jeered him at the Emirates and the midfielder reacted by waving and cupping his ear sarcastically to home supporters.
The Switzerland international was stripped of the captaincy after a bizarre non-apology on social media and it took years to rebuild the relationship. The 29-year-old is now a key player for Arteta's side.
