So then, who is Granit Xhaka? Here is the lowdown on Arsenal's new midfielder...
Who is Granit Xhaka: Beginnings
Xhaka is just 23, but has already been capped 40 times by Switzerland. He was born in Basel, to Kosovan parents. He made his breakthrough with Basel, signing his first youth contract with the club in 2002, at the age of 10. He signed with the club at the same time as his brother, Taulant. Xhaka made his senior debut for Basel in 2010 in a Champions League qualifier against Debrecen. Xhaka's quality was immediately obvious, with Basel boss Thorsten Fink claiming that "Xherdan Shaqiri is the greatest talent in Switzerland...after Granit Xhaka".
Who Is Granit Xhaka: Give me a 'B'...
After back-to-back league titles and a Swiss Cup victory, Xhaka was snapped up by German footballing mouthful Borussia Mönchengladbach for €8.5 million. Xhaka excelled in his second season, starting 29 of a possible 34 Bundesliga games. The following season he was ever-present and was named in the Bundesliga team of the season for his part in talking Mönchengladbach to the Champions League via a third-place finish.
Who Is Granit Xhaka: A Vital Swiss Role
Xhaka made his international debut against England at Wembley at the age of just 19, and has already collected 40 caps. Xhaka eventually committed to playing for Switzerland having considered playing for Albania, as FIFA did not recognise Kosovo at the time. His brother chose to play with Albania. Xhaka played at the 2014 World Cup, scoring in the 5-2 defeat against France. Ottmar Hitzfeld has described him as being similar in style to Bastian Schweinsteiger.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX98Ov_uJS8
Who Is Granit Xhaka: Arsenal Ambition
Xhaka has carved out a reputation as a tough-tackling defensive midfielder, so should prove to be the antidote to an issue which has plagued Arsenal since Mathieu Flamini left for AC Milan. Despite interest from Liverpool, Xhaka decided to join Arsenal, for a fee believed to be in the region of €35 million. His signing was confirmed when these images of Xhaka modelling an Arsenal kit were leaked online before the club made an official announcement.
Who Is Granit Xhaka: Recommended Reading
This Squawka stats piece is good, and this profile of Xhaka by Archie Rind-Tutt on The Set Pieces is excellent.
