Granit Xhaka has claimed it will be a special reunion with Arsenal when he faces off against his old side with Sunderland over the weekend.
The midfielder spent seven years with the Gunners, plenty of which were not plain sailing and came with their challenges.
During his time at Arsenal, Granit Xhaka managed to flip from hero to zero and back again on several occasions.
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A spell as club captain didn’t end well, but the Swiss international did end up winning the fans back over before he left for Bayer Leverkusen.
Now back in the Premier League with Sunderland, there is a reunion on the cards in the coming days that he is looking forward to.
Granit Xhaka reacts during Chelsea vs Sunderland
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Granit Xhaka cannot wait for emotional Arsenal return
While Xhaka spent many memorable years at Arsenal, he is looking to forge another path in the league with Sunderland.
The 33-year-old joined the Black Cats over the summer and was named their club captain, a role he has taken on well.
The midfielder has helped the team settle well into the early challenges of the division after promotion, as they sit fourth and well clear of any relegation troubles.
Xhaka’s goal against Everton was his latest contribution towards their points tally, earning them another draw.
Now, focus turns towards his reunion with Arsenal, as he told Sky Sports after the game: “It will be an emotional game for myself.
"It will be an emotional game for myself" 🥹
Granit Xhaka is looking forward to facing his former club Arsenal next week ❤️ pic.twitter.com/LJAav52rHt
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 3, 2025
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“I had seven amazing years there [at Arsenal], I still have contact with many players and the coaching staff. To play against them here in Sunderland is very special.”
It will certainly be a memorable moment, with Arsenal fans likely to give a warm reception towards the star.
It marks a tough end to the current run of fixtures for the Gunners, with the international break now looming large.
Granit Xhaka celebrates scoring for Sunderland against Everton
Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images
Granit Xhaka’s career statistics at Arsenal
Granit Xhaka’s time at Arsenal will be defined by the rollercoaster of emotions that the fans felt with him through the journey.
At times, he was the player driving standards for a time that was struggling, while at others, there was frustration at errors and disciplinary issues.
Appearances Goals Assists Yellow cards Red cards
297 23 29 76 5
Granit Xhaka’s career statistics at Arsenal.
That all changed in his final season under Mikel Arteta, who used him in a more advanced position in midfield.
His seven goals and seven assists in the final Premier League campaign for Arsenal were by far his best tally for the club.
It brought a positive end to Xhaka’s time there, but now they’ll be hopeful he doesn’t haunt them.