Charlie Nicholas ‘not convinced’ by Arsenal pair Granit Xhaka and Hector Bellerin
Bellerin #Bellerin
Charlie Nicholas has admitted he remains unconvinced by Arsenal first-team regulars Granit Xhaka and Hector Bellerin.
Xhaka, 28, joined the Gunners from Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016 and although the midfielder has been a mainstay in the side since his arrival at the Emirates, he has faced plenty of criticism over his individual errors.
Meanwhile, right-back Bellerin graduated from Arsenal’s academy in 2013 and became the club’s longest-serving senior player after Mesut Ozil’s departure in January.
With the north London side currently down in 10th place in the table, Nicholas feels that Mikel Arteta is still yet to prove his worth as Arsenal manager and must sell ‘five or six’ players in the summer.
‘Mikel Arteta still has to prove himself,’ the Gunners hero told Paddy Power.
‘For five years we knew that Arsène Wenger’s defence was weak, and although Arsenal are a bit more solid nowadays, and Kieran Tierney has now started to improve the left-back position in a big way because of his power and his forward drive.
‘I am not happy or convinced with Hector Bellerin or Granit Xhaka.
‘It is an interesting coincidence how Xhaka is supposedly playing his best football when Arsenal are 10th in the League.
‘Arsenal need some consistency in the ranks, and he does not give them that.’
‘I am encouraged by the fact that the young players look great, they are a great batch with a lot of talent,’ he added.
‘Arteta knows he’s got five or six to sell in the upcoming window.’
Charlie Nicholas was talking on Paddy Power’s Cheltenham Watchalong, to watch in full, please visit: CHELTENHAM WATCHALONG! Ft. Charlie Nicholas, Matt Le Tissier & Phil Thompson
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