Charlie Nicholas is not 'happy or convinced' with Granit Xhaka and Hector Bellerin and the former Arsenal forward believes boss Mikel Arteta must sell at least 'five or six' players this summer.
Switzerland midfielder Xhaka has become a polarising figure at the Emirates Stadium since joining for £35million from Borussia Moenchengladbach in 2016, despite appearing regularly and making 209 appearances for the club.
No player in the Premier League has made more individual mistakes leading to goals since his arrival, while he was also stripped of the captaincy in 2019 after an angry confrontation with fans while being substituted against Crystal Palace.
Vice-captain Bellerin meanwhile became the Gunners' outright longest-serving player following the departure of Mesut Ozil in January, but has struggled for form this season and recent rumours have suggested the full-back could be on the move this summer eight years after joining the club's academy.
And though he praised left-back Kieran Tierney for his impact, Nicholas remains unconvinced by Xhaka and Bellerin and insists Arteta still has work to do to improve 10th-place Arsenal, though he sees the emergence of a youth is a positive.
'Mikel Arteta still has to prove himself,' the former Scotland forward 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.'
Spain international Bellerin, 25, has two years left on his deal at Arsenal and rumours have suggested Paris Saint-Germain could look to move for him following their interest last summer.
Meanwhile, team-mate Xhaka, 29, signed a new deal with Arsenal in the summer of 2018 which is expected to take him through until the end of the 2022-23 season.
AkoKat
1
Xhaka is good as we cannot buy more players because of cash restraint, well for Bellering he is gone already and I'm happy with that
Kahbcdprst
1
anyone who's talking bad about xhaka must leave our club in peace an form his where he will not play xhaka. this team currently will not do anything without xhaka. he is our main man and not an injury prone 💪💪
kaebdnptuy
1
Xhaka's natural ability and determination is okay, but they are not enough for an ambitious club side that want to win trophies year in year out. Arsenal should keep him if they want to remain an average club side. Or should replace him with a more quality player who can help them win trophies.
kolonegooner
2
no.#34 must leave IF we are to be serious bout challenging for the title next term..... if he remains it says where we are in terms of being considered a serious contender.... time for him to vacate. Trust the Process COYG
Fokckpuz
0
Arteta is to be blamed... he's not seeing what the whole world has seen
Leave Arteta alone. He's taking us somewhere.
Bimadlmyz
0
how u expect him to do number 10 work when he's playing as holding midfielder?
I’m saying you should know he can’t do what a number 10 does in a match even if is asked to play the role.
jawceikmuz
1
Can he do what number 10 does in a match???
how u expect him to do number 10 work when he's playing as holding midfielder?
Capeioru
2
Charlie obviously doesn’t know the cash restraints at the club. Xaka and Partey play well together. Belerin is already leaving as agreement with Arteta. The more this new team played together, the better they will become. Somehow need Odegaard next season. With him and EMile, we not kissing Ozil anymore.
sozanpr
2
leave xhaka alone ,
wombdeiryz
2
Granit is here to stay; he's an established player with a strong presence on the pitch. Charlie has no clue at all.
Potdeopsuy
2
We need Bisouma he is a box to box and fast because I know Thomas is not n athlete that's the reason behind his muscle injuries. Either Bisouma or Anguisa
Bissouma would be a great signing
Captainchux
1
I don’t think Xhaka should be sold. Signing up a better player doesn’t necessarily mean he should go. A better player can give him more competition just like Partey is already making him look better. Given Elneny and Xhaka, I will still go for Xhaka.
piccilmnpu
1
xhaka lacks confidence as a midfielder always going backwards no motivation to the team always back passing that shows lack of confidence
piccilmnpu
1
mr back pass is supposed to have been sold since or dash him out to efl club he is not a midfielder at all
Teceimos
1
sell xhaka
seanhunter9
2
Xhaka needs to go on the bench and play occasionally or just go for good. we wont miss his mistakes
Riuacetz
1
C’mon Charlie. It’s just Arsenal and Xhaka is too good for it. Have to know your place and Arsenal are where they belong.
Britius
3
Charlie is right about it,he won't always be wrong.Xhaka's type of midfield operation is killing Arsenal's forward movement towards creating chances for the team.
cubbinu
1
it's taken Charlie a long time to come to the same conclusion about Xhaka as most Gooners have had for a long time. After his famous walk-off he should have been sold or given away. Bellerin is not bad going forward but he's supposed to defend, doesn't mark or get a tackle in. He can go too. Mally.
Riuacetz
0
Charlie is funny. Is the last name Chaplin?
Runbdiotz
0
no don't sell bellerin ,he is a good player in the teams
manbemoprz
3
Exactly Charlie, you understand the game..... Kudos
Bimadlmyz
0
xhaka has won more tackle than party in every game they played together...yes he is always reluctant to go forward but his game is up a notch....let's not forget he is a number 10 for his country until he joined Arsenal and the mindset changed to defensive
Can he do what number 10 does in a match???
Mocmnop
2
Part of why Arsenal's counter attack numbers have been so low is because when making an attack sometimes Xhaka decides to pass the ball to the back for no reason at all
fuaditz
1
Why does Xhaka play evey game ? Try some other players and give them a chance.
Sosbenstuz
1
Some of Arsenal's 1st eleven can not even see a starting berth at Fulham, very poor
NorthBankStanding
1
Charlie is correct. Xhaka is a bit off.
asserpetrus360
2
Arteta should try to pair Elneny and Party with Smith R or Odergaad being AM...that's just my opinion.
jeakmorsty
0
Xhaka is one of Arsenal best midfielder right except for his errors,after all everyone is prone to error
error is inevitable, but errors is lack of qualities.
yoaciklny
0
We need Bisouma he is a box to box and fast because I know Thomas is not n athlete that's the reason behind his muscle injuries. Either Bisouma or Anguisa
Humancal
0
I hope we replace him in the summer
sintewoud
0
he is the most inconsistent arsenal player today
Nohabiortz
1
xhaka isn't a top four midfielder
yoaciklny
0
Arteta is to be blamed.. he's not seeing what
Arteta is not to be blamed he just have to stick with him because Elneny is not consistent and Ceballos is a bit soft he is smart but not ruthless as rock
arsenwenger12
3
Xhaka is one of Arsenal best midfielder right except for his errors,after all everyone is prone to error
Woubdikyz
2
xhaka has won more tackle than party in every game they played together...yes he is always reluctant to go forward but his game is up a notch....let's not forget he is a number 10 for his country until he joined Arsenal and the mindset changed to defensive
NAMInno
4
Give us Azeez and Contrell next season please.
Leo_tO3
3
Xhaka's decision making is a shitty sometimes
Kepcdikot
1
xhaka is typically like matic one good game all season then shiit
Walkz
1
no one is happy or convinced just arteta thanks for standing t for all Arsenal fans
Kuabdost
2
Arteta is to be blamed... he's not seeing what the whole world has seen
Kuabdost
0
Arteta is to be blamed.. he's not seeing what
Pohdioprst
2
Xhaka is useless,,, he should be sold after the season and bellerin also
Penman2210Braham
5
He's not alone. even me; I have never being convinced by Xhaka. Especially since the arrival of Partey. Xhaka slows the game so much and causes pressure, but no one sees that because he runs around all 90'. Elneny does wonders when paired with Partey. watch the highlights pf Man. U vs Arsenal first leg. then thank me later.
SawHotz
3
209 appearances for Xhaka? Now those are some insane numbers🤯