Granit Xhaka told to stay patient

Granit Xhaka’s brother believes staying patient will be the key to his chances of becoming a key player for Arsenal.

The Switzerland international joined the Gunners in May from Borussia Monchengladbach but, despite his hefty price tag, has often had to make do with a place on the bench.

Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla remain Arsene Wenger’s preferred options in the middle of the park but he could be given his chance on Wednesday in the Champions League against former club Basel.

In that instance he is likely to come up against his brother, Taulant, whom he previously faced at international level for Switzerland against Albania at Euro 2016.

At just 24, the elder Xhaka sibling admits the Arsenal man still has plenty to learn and should draw on the experience of when he found himself in a similar situation after joining Gladbach in 2012.

The Basel man says his brother needs to be patient at the Emirates and is in no doubt that he is in the right place to fulfil his potential.

“He needs to be patient but he knows this and I am sure he can progress there,” Taulant told the Daily Telegraph. “Arsene Wenger is a coach who takes a lot of young players – he gives them confidence and also tries to help them as people.

“It was the same when he moved to Germany, he needed time but he learnt a lot. He changed, became more self-confident, more open to people. “It was a good step to join Arsenal.

Granit is very comfortable, very integrated. He is very happy there and he has already scored some super goals.”