“Maybe they need more confidence, but I believe in Arsenal this season”.
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And former Arsenal goalkeeper Lehman says he did not expect Arsene Wenger to sanction such an expensive deal for the Germany global.
The former Real Madrid schemer is one of the best number tens in world football and proved as much last term with consistently excellent showings and 19 Premier League assists to boot.
The more recent additions of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez indicated a turn of the tide; Arsenal, as their financial situation improved with the increasing years removed from their move to the Emirates, became a spending club, rather than the selling, second-tier side that they had descended into.
The Germany worldwide told German newspaper Express he wishes to assume Wilshere’s No. 10 mantle at the Emirates Stadium before revealing contract talks are back underway (h/t Goal’s Russell Greaves). “Now we will look to continue the negotiations”.
Xhaka admits the weight of expectation is far greater than he has been accustomed to but he is confident Arsenal are capable of mounting a title charge and winning the Premier League for the first time since 2004.
“The surprise was Kanu because nobody knew where he played and he turned up with something special again”, Wenger told Arsenal official website.
The German playmaker has only two years remaining on his deal, meaning the north London outfit risk facing a dilemma between two choices next summer should he fail to sign an extension by then: cash in on him or let him walk away for nothing in 2018. Because actually the team is really good, the quality is unbelievable. I’m more of a 4-4-2 player, old school. You can never, ever question what Wenger has done for Arsenal, economically, trophy-wise. Believe me, because sometimes I’m training with the guys, and the team is very, very good.
“You can see that they know where to run”.
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Mattias is ESPN FC’s Arsenal correspondent.
