Granit Xhaka celebrates scoring the equaliser against Everton.placeholder image
Granit Xhaka celebrates scoring the equaliser against Everton. | AFP via Getty Images
The former Arsenal midfielder is set to face his club with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light this weekend.
Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka has put down a challenge for former club Arsenal ahead of the Premier League meeting between the two sides at the Stadium of Light on Saturday evening.
The 33-year-old, who made 297 appearances for Arsenal during his time in north London, is enjoying a scintillating return to the Premier League with the high-flying Black Cats. Xhaka scored his first goal for the club to rescue a point against Everton on Monday night, and already has three assists this season.
Xhaka left the Emirates Stadium in 2023 to join Bayer Leverkusen and, speaking after the Everton game, admitted he hadn’t imagined himself returning to the Premier League.
Granit Xhaka challenges Arsenal ahead of Sunderland clash
The former Gunner was asked what it would be like to face Arsenal and issued a teasing challenge of “let’s see who is better on the day”. Xhaka said: “We know the quality that Arsenal has. It will be an emotional game for myself. I had seven amazing years there and still have contact with many players and the coaching staff. To play against them here in Sunderland is very special and hopefully I can enjoy as well. Let’s see who is the better team on this day.”
Xhaka was rated 8/10 by the Sunderland Echo for his efforts against Everton. The outlet wrote: “Took him a while to get into the game but ran it once he did. Some brilliant passes, a deflected equalising goal and then a glorious cross that Mukiele should have converted. Best player on the pitch from about half an hour onwards, though he got away with one big late error on the ball.”
The Gunners warned over ‘fantastic’ Sunderland midfielder
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher also sung the praises of the midfielder in words that can be taken as a warning for Arsenal ahead of the potential banana-skin match. Carragher said: “For me, I thought Granit Xhaka was absolutely fantastic again. Not just the goal, he was head and shoulders above almost everybody on that pitch.”
When asked about his return to the Premier League, the player said: “I didn’t expect to come back to the Premier League after I went to Germany but in football you never know where you land. After two years in Germany where I had a lot of good things with titles and it gave me a lot of confidence with a coach like Xabi Alonso, who was the same player like myself in the six position. He gave me a lot of advice - maybe better than me on the pitch!
“To be back makes me happy and I knew exactly the project from the club. To bring the experience but as well the quality and to show the guys day by day, I hope I can help them. We have one objective, which is to give - game by game and day by day - everything.”
In other news, Leandro Trossard names Arsenal player who has dangerous 'unpredictability'.
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