Arteta Calls Xhaka One of Summer’s Best Signings Ahead of Arsenal-Sunderland Clash

LONDON, England — Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Granit Xhaka as one of the year’s best signings as the two face off this Saturday. Xhaka, who returned to the Premier League this season with Sunderland, previously played for Arsenal for seven years before leaving for Bayer Leverkusen in 2023.

Arteta reflected on his time with Xhaka, stating, “I loved every minute that we spent together.” The midfielder went on to take up the captaincy at Sunderland, where he has quickly become a pivotal player.

Arteta noted how he attempted to convince Xhaka to stay during his last months at Arsenal. He said, “When he came in and explained his reasons, you have to understand the human being and be grateful. It was the right moment for him to experience something new back in his country with his family.”

Xhaka’s presence has been influential at Sunderland, who currently sit fourth in the Premier League after 10 games. Sunderland’s coach, Regis Le Bris, expressed optimism about utilizing Xhaka’s knowledge against his former club.

<p"His knowledge about Arsenal is important for us," Le Bris remarked. "He can instill confidence in the squad, which is crucial when facing a strong team like Arsenal."

As Sunderland prepares for a challenging match against Arsenal, Le Bris emphasized the importance of maintaining composure on the pitch. “We must approach this as a good test. If we start afraid or too emotional, we will be punished,” he said.

Xhaka is expected to receive a warm welcome from Arsenal fans who appreciated his contributions during his time in North London.

The match at the Stadium of Light is eagerly anticipated as both teams seek to secure important points early in the season.