But that verdict is not a compliment from Gunners legend Ray Parlour.
The former midfield maestro reckons Xhaka’s lack of mobility has seen his progress at the club turn to stone.
And he fears the Swiss international’s first-team spot could soon be on the rocks under new boss Unai Emery.
Parlour told SunSport: “Xhaka does tend to give the ball away a bit too much in this new system of playing from the back. And he needs to be more mobile if he can.
“But he has to learn to deal with having the ball in those areas. Compared to Matteo Guendouzi, who impressed in pre-season, he is not as energetic or mobile.
“If he’s not doing his job, Emery has already shown him that he will be taken off — he did it to him against Chelsea at half-time.
“And with Lucas Torreira, who I think sooner or later will start after being bedded into the side, Xhaka could be left out.”
Xhaka, 25, was signed for a whopping £38.25million in 2016, with former boss Arsene Wenger hoping he had a found the midfield enforcer they sorely missed following Gilberto Silva’s exit eight years earlier.
But he has shown only glimpses of his top form in a Gunners shirt and has arguably played his best stuff for Switzerland.
Former England midfielder Parlour added: “Xhaka looked to have a good World Cup, so it’s hard to say what’s wrong with him now.
“He looks like a guy who takes a bit of time to get back into the rhythm of playing week in, week out after a break, especially with the new manager.
“But there are players breathing down his neck. If he doesn’t do his job, he won’t be in the team.
“The form players deserve to play. He has to knuckle down and he has to play well.”
Despite a busy pre-season, Emery still looks to be experimenting with his midfield options.
Xhaka, Torreira, Guendouzi, Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil all featured in the opening two Premier League defeats to Manchester City and Chelsea. Ramsey was hauled off early on against City and Ozil was hooked at Chelsea as both struggled to get to grips with Emery’s style.
But Parlour, 45, who made 466 appearances for Arsenal over a 12-year spell under three managers, believes the experienced duo should be able to adapt far more quickly.
He said: “The transition from one manager to another is straightforward — you just have to go with the manager and have complete faith in him.
“You learn very quickly what is right and what is wrong.
“It doesn’t happen overnight, granted. From George Graham to Arsene Wenger, suddenly it was one and two-touch exercises and small-sided games for a whole session — completely different.
“But alongside the new players that come in, you adapt.”
Ramsey, 27, is yet to sign a new deal at the club, with his current contract expiring next summer.
But Parlour added: “I know Aaron as a person and he will not be worried about getting dropped or the contract situation.
“He will be getting his head down and waiting for his opportunity.”
FORMER Arsenal and England midfielder Ray Parlour is the new brand ambassador of ComeOn! Sports & Casino, a leading sports betting and online casino brand.
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