Mikel Arteta issues early verdict on Granit Xhaka signing ahead of Arsenal FC reunion

Xhaka returned to the Premier League this summer after joining Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen as part of a deal worth an initial £13million.

The midfielder was immediately made captain of the Black Cats and he has been one of their star performers.

And asked if Xhaka was one of the best signings this summer, Arteta said: “Well, with the impact he’s having, one of the best I would say.

“I think what they’ve done as a football club as well in the last few years is very impressive, the management and the decision that they’ve taken and how stable they look and how they have started the season, so really impressive.”

Xhaka has said it will be “emotional” playing against Arsenal, who he spent seven years with from 2016 to 2023.

The midfielder had a turbulent time in north London and was stripped of the captaincy midway through his stint there.

“When I joined, he was in a special moment of his life and his career, and between all of us, we tried to guide him, to give him a different perspective, to make him feel loved, valued, and he responded in an incredible way.

“He made me a better coach, he helped us to develop and improve a lot as a football team and as a club, and I will be eternally grateful because I have great memories with him.

“We extended his contract and when he came in and explained the reasons [that he wanted to leave], you have to understand the human being, you have to be grateful.

“It was a unique opportunity for him to come back to his country, to his family and there were certain things that he wanted to experience as well and I believe it was the right moment.

“He was very honest as he is very straightforward as he always is and we'll find a way to find a good solution for all of us.”

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