World Cup 2026: A new chapter in Granit Xhaka’s resurgence as Switzerland chase history

Xhaka is now one of the most influential players in the Premier League but just seven years ago it looked like his career in the English top flight was over.

Then at Arsenal, supporters grew frustrated with some of his poor performances and he occasionally found himself a target for Bos.

The taunts eventually became too much for Xhaka and after he was taunted as he was substituted during a draw with Crystal Palace in October 2019, he taunted his own fans.

Then manager Unai Emery removed Xhaka from the captaincy of the club and his departure seemed a matter of time.

But Xhaka dug in and turned things around brilliantly after Emery was replaced by Mikel Arteta, winning back the support of the fans with his leadership and combative displays, reclaiming Arsenal’s captain’s armband to win the FA Cup in 2020.

“You can always hear him,” Xhaka’s Arsenal teammate Theo Walcott said earlier in Match of the Day.

“Wherever you were on the training ground you could hear him talking to someone – whether it was a member of staff, a younger player or a more experienced player and he was like that on day one.”

A move to Bayer Leverkusen followed where he helped the German club remain unbeaten on their way to a league and cup double, before returning to the Premier League with newly-promoted Sunderland last summer.

There he played a key role in helping the Black Cats not only avoid an immediate return to the Championship but also surprised everyone by finishing seventh to secure a place in the Europa League for the upcoming season.

“Going to Germany really helped,” added Walcott

“It really elevated his leadership level.”

His displays in the summer attracted the attention of Chelsea, but he reaffirmed his commitment to Sunderland rather than move to a club more likely to challenge for the Champions League next term.

“He has been the most influential signing in the North East since Kevin Keegan at Newcastle in 1982,” North East football journalist Ian Murtagh told BBC Radio Newcastle.

“I’m not necessarily the best, but in terms of impact, in terms of driving standards, in terms of communicating with his teammates, I think there’s a huge similarity between the two – even though they’re 40 years apart.”