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Wenger says he tried to sign midfielder last year

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has stated that he tried to sign star midfielder Granit Xhaka last year and has talked up the Gunners’ new recruit.

The North London side moved quickly to land the Switzerland international earlier this summer from Borussia Monchengladbach, with the new man signed to remedy a supposed lack of physicality in the centre of the park.

Xhaka impressed in the 3-1 win over Watford at the weekend and looks like a real asset to the Emirates Stadium side.

Wenger has been singing the praises of the summer recruit and has admitted that Arsenal have been tracking the former FC Basel man for some time.

“We tried already in December last year,” the Frenchman told The London Evening Standard.

“He has a good engine, good stature, he is good in the air and has a good balance in his game, he has a good short ball and a good long ball.

“He is 24 years old, he has already experience abroad and that is always a problem and is more reassuring when a player has already played abroad somewhere.

“He was captain at his age at Monchengladbach, that is not a small club so he has leadership qualities.

“He is a guy who plays naturally behind the ball, he is a bit similar to (Manu) Petit in the way he plays football. He likes to sit, give good long balls and be available with the centre-backs.”

Xhaka looks set to command a starting berth in the Arsenal side this season and will add another dominant personality to the Gunners’ team.

The Swiss star is battling for a first-team berth with the likes of Francis Coquelin, Mohamed Elneny, Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere.

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