Granit Xhaka is poised to celebrate the first anniversary of his departure from Arsenal by leading Switzerland in a Euro 2024 quarter-final clash against England and going head-to-head with Declan Rice, the £100million man who now occupies his former midfield role for the Gunners.
It’s been a remarkable year for Xhaka since he bid farewell to North London. He secured a German double and reached the Europa League final with Bayer Leverkusen, and now he’s guiding Switzerland to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
Despite his success, Xhaka remains humble, stating that it wasn’t a “perfect season” due to their loss in the Europa League final. He prefers the competitive spirit to overt arrogance, but his impressive record speaks for itself: in 66 games for club and country, he’s only tasted defeat twice, and he’s yet to lose on German soil since leaving Arsenal.
Xhaka has been hailed as the Bundesliga’s top transfer of the season, a steal for Bayer Leverkusen at £21.4million on a five-year deal. Local journalists consider him the club’s smartest signing since Florian Wirtz, the keystone of their dominant team, and Xabi Alonso’s on-field strategist and locker room leader.
Granit Xhaka has been instrumental in Switzerland’s journey to the Euro 2024 quarter-finals
It’s been almost a year since the Swiss star bid farewell to Arsenal in search of new challenges
Xhaka (center) played a pivotal role in Bayer Leverkusen’s historic domestic double
Xhaka’s stellar performances have even sparked discussions about potential Ballon d’Or candidates, which would be a remarkable turnaround for those who witnessed his tumultuous exit from the Emirates Stadium. The Swiss midfielder infamously clashed with Arsenal fans, removing his captain’s armband and storming down the tunnel amid a torrent of mutual insults.
However, by the time he left, he and Mikel Arteta had reconciled, and Arteta was in no rush to let him go. Xhaka could have easily formed a dynamic midfield partnership with Rice at Arsenal, but he was eager for a fresh start and a new chapter in his career.
Xabi Alonso, the Leverkusen manager, has been instrumental in Xhaka’s transformation. Alonso holds Xhaka in high regard and worked diligently to secure his signature. He likely recognized a kindred spirit in the Swiss midfielder, a player with exceptional technical skills, tactical acumen, physical strength, and a relentless drive to win.
Under Alonso’s guidance, Xhaka has refined his game. While he still possesses the ability to make Hollywood passes and long-range shots, his style has evolved to become more controlled and methodical. He orchestrates the game with short passes, creating angles, generating tempo, and trusting his teammates to maintain possession under pressure. He also excels at disrupting the opposition’s shape and recognizing the opportune moments to strike.
Xhaka attributes his development to his coaching studies. He began the UEFA A Licence course at Arsenal and completed it in Germany, spending six months of last season coaching at SC Union Nettetal, a fifth-tier amateur team where his brother-in-law Leonard Lekaj plays.
After a string of impressive displays at Euro 2024, Xhaka is focused on England’s downfall on Saturday
It’s fitting that he’ll face off against Declan Rice, the £100m man who replaced him at Arsenal
Xhaka’s enhanced tactical understanding was evident in Switzerland’s impressive victory over Italy in the last 16, where he orchestrated the game from the midfield with precision and composure.
Along with his refined gameplay, Xhaka has also shown greater discipline. He even persuaded Alonso to abandon a plan to rest him in a match against Darmstadt, where he skillfully avoided a yellow card that would have ruled him out of the crucial game against title rivals Bayern Munich. Leverkusen went on to defeat Darmstadt and Bayern Munich, ultimately securing the Bundesliga title and the German Cup, with Xhaka scoring the lone goal in the final.
Xhaka’s steely mentality and leadership qualities are renowned, and he attributes them to his family’s heritage. His family fled Kosovo for Basel in 1990, shortly after his father and uncle were released from prison for protesting against the Yugoslav Government as students.
Even during his most challenging times at Arsenal, when he became a target for personal abuse and criticism, Xhaka never shied away from facing his critics. He was always the first to address the media after a disappointing performance, demonstrating his courage and accountability.
Alonso praises Xhaka as “a true leader – on and off the pitch,” and credits him with making Leverkusen “a much better and more mature team.” As Switzerland’s captain, Xhaka took the initiative to address issues with coach Murat Yakin after a disappointing qualifying campaign last autumn, demonstrating his commitment to the team’s success.
Xhaka was Xabi Alonso’s on-field general and a pivotal figure in the dressing room at Leverkusen last season
As Switzerland’s captain, Xhaka took the initiative to address issues with coach Murat Yakin after a disappointing qualifying campaign
Switzerland’s qualifying campaign included underwhelming draws with Israel, Belarus, and Kosovo, as well as a defeat to Romania, who eventually topped the group. While the players denied any confrontation or demands to revert to a back-three, they did engage in productive dialogue, leading to an improved atmosphere and better results.
Xhaka emphasizes that formation was never an issue, stating, “We are glad to have a coach listening and talking to us. We never had problems. We are adults, and we have a great relationship with the coach.”
He adds, “He came to see me many times. We met in Dusseldorf, we had dinner and drank a lot of wine together. We are ambitious and want to be successful.”
Now, with a taste for success, Xhaka and Switzerland are ready to take on England and Rice. Despite a nagging stomach strain, Xhaka is expected to declare himself fit for the match. As one Swiss official put it, “He is a machine,” and there’s no doubt he’ll be eager to prove himself in this highly anticipated encounter.