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‘Haters shaking’: Some Arsenal fans hail ‘unnoticed’ player’s display v Sunderland
A number of Arsenal fans have praised Granit Xhaka following his off-the-bench display against Sunderland.
The Gunners ran riot at the Emirates, winning 5-1 against their lower-league opponents.
Eddie Nketiah scored a hat-trick, while Nicolas Pepe and Charlie Patino also got on the scoresheet.
However, some Arsenal fans felt their side took full control of the game when Xhaka came on.
The Switzerland captain replaced Folarin Balogun in the 56th minute.
After coming on, Arsenal switched to a double-pivot in midfield.
And Xhaka helped snuff out any hopes of a Sunderland comeback.
In addition, the 30-year-old also delivered key passes to Martin Odegaard and Pepe for the fourth and fifth goals.
Xhaka continues to split the Arsenal fanbase – but there were certainly plenty of impressed supporters come full time.
Here’s what some Arsenal fans made of Xhaka’s display:
Well, since no one congrats Xhaka. Came at '55. Controlling the tempo since then, make zero mistakes, key passes to odegaard & pepe for 4th 5th goal. A Bossing Performance. Always my favourite.
— abe (@Sutedjabet)
Not his biggest fan but huge credit to Xhaka today. Thought he improved us tremendously and gave us so much more control, then tops it with a wonderful crossfield switch to Pepe for Patino's goal 👏👏
— Liam (@groningooner)
Watching xhaka live was an eye opener to how he keeps us ticking tbf
— JF (@OFFLEWITT)
Xhaka haters shaking rn. What a performance
— Peanut_Vendor (@ruonnny)
Shape today probably showed what plans Arteta has for the future, he has spoken about 4-3-3 in the past. In terms of what we have, atm we are better suited to 4-2-3-1 because our best CM is still Xhaka. Long term will depend on what #8 we bring in, or the development of Ødegaard.
— Dezildez (@Dezildezzz)
No one will talk about the amount the amount of control xhaka brought to our midfield
— Arsenal is life (@AlexanderArsen6)
Will go unnoticed but that xhaka pass was gravy
— Milo⛷⛷ (@mmilok1)
Nketiah opened the scoring on 17 minutes.
The Hale End graduate found the back of the net on the rebound following a save from Rob Holding’s header.
Pepe then doubled the Arsenal lead 10 minutes later with an effort that deflected off Callum Doyle.
Nathan Broadhead halved Sunderland’s deficit with a superb dink over Bernd Leno.
However, Nketiah restored Arsenal’s two-goal advantage early in the second half before sealing his hat-trick on 58 minutes.
Arsenal’s evening got even better as Charlie Patino marked his debut with a late goal.
The teenager, who came on as a substitute, ran into the box and cushioned Pepe’s delivery home.
Arsenal will find out who their semi-final opponents are on Wednesday night.