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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: Why Chelsea star and Gunners summer signing don’t compare
ARSENE WENGER insists Chelsea star N’Golo Kante and Arsenal ace Granit Xhaka are no comparable.
N'Golo Kante scores winning goal for Chelsea against Man Utd
The Gunners boss has come under fire from supporters this season over his expensive summer signing from Borussia Monchengladbach.
Switzerland international Xhaka, bought for £35million, has struggled to justify his price tag at the Emirates so far.
His discipline issues and reliability in Arsenal’s midfield have led to questions of why Arsene Wenger did not pursue Chelsea’s new hero more.
Wenger has previously claimed Kante was too costly to lure from Leicester last summer, as their London rivals swooped for £30m.
Granit Xhaka has struggled to make as big an impact at Arsenal as N'Golo Kante has at Chelsea
It is claimed Antonio Conte specifically requested the signing of Kante, who has been a huge hit at Stamford Bridge.
The France international is favourite to be named PFA Player of the Year, having contributed greatly to Chelsea’s Premier League title push.
However, despite the links drawn between Xhaka and Kante’s impact at Arsenal and Chelsea respectively this term, Wenger feels they have alternative traits.
“They are different type of players,” Wenger said.
Chelsea's Antonio Conte has been left delighted by N'Golo Kante's influence since arriving for £30m
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante is more similar to Francis Coquelin
You should compare Kante with Francis Coquelin more than with Xhaka
“Xhaka is more about the distribution of the pass through the lines.
“Kante is more the ball winner with the real technique to steal the ball without making the foul.
Wenger added Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin, who has lost his form in north London this season, is more similar to Chelsea’s 25-year-old.
“You should compare Kante with Francis Coquelin more than with Xhaka.”
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