Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has lavished praise on his former midfielder Granit Xhaka, labelling the Swiss international's summer switch to Sunderland as 'one of the best' signings of the transfer window.
Emotional Reunion at the Stadium of Light
The two are set for an emotional reunion on Saturday when Arsenal travel to the Stadium of Light to face the newly promoted Black Cats. Xhaka returned to English football in July with Sunderland, following a successful two-year spell at German club Bayer Leverkusen after his 2023 departure from Arsenal.
Arteta spoke fondly of his time working with the midfielder, revealing the deep professional and personal bond they formed. "Yeah, I loved every minute that we spent together," the Arsenal boss stated. He reflected on a pivotal moment early in his tenure in 2019 when he convinced Xhaka to stay at the Emirates after a difficult period under previous manager Unai Emery.
From Turmoil to Transformation
"When I joined, Granit was in a special moment in his life and in his career," Arteta explained. "Between all of us, we tried to guide him, to give him a different perspective and to make him feel loved and valued. He responded in an incredible way."
The manager was effusive in his gratitude, crediting Xhaka for his own development and the team's progress. "He made me a better coach, he helped us to develop and improve a lot as a football team and as a club. I will be eternally grateful because I have great memories," Arteta said.
When questioned about whether he attempted to block Xhaka's move to Germany two years ago, Arteta confirmed he had previously persuaded him to extend his contract. However, he understood the player's personal reasons for leaving. "You have to understand the human being and you have to be grateful," he remarked. "It was a unique opportunity for him to go back to his country, with his family."
Fixture Congestion Concerns
Looking beyond the weekend's fixture, Arteta also addressed a potential fixture headache in December. The Gunners' Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace is scheduled for Tuesday, December 23, just two days before a Premier League trip to Everton.
Arteta expressed his concern about the tight turnaround, but remained hopeful for a solution. "I’m super optimistic that this will not be the case," he said, referring to the prospect of playing two high-stakes matches in 48 hours. "We have very positive talks with the clubs, with the Premier League and hopefully we can find a way to help as much as possible."
As for his current squad, Arteta was more guarded on the availability of key players like Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus for the Sunderland clash, keeping his cards close to his chest ahead of the highly anticipated match.
