Arsenal fans heading to the Emirates for Saturday’s clash with Southampton will be excited to see more of Granit Xhaka, and Arsenal’s first summer signing has been talking about life at his new club.
Xhaka will play for Switzerland on Tuesday night amid some discussion as to whether he would consider changing allegiances to new nation Kosovo through his Kosovo-Albanian parentage.
However, the former Borussia Monchengladbach man is set to remain in a Swiss shirt in order to represent Switzerland’s considerable Albanian population.
Speaking of life at Arsenal Xhaka said: “So far I’m feeling comfortable in my role, I hope it stays that way.
“I am happy to be playing. If I can play in my favourite position [as he currently is], then even better.
“I have quickly realised that Arsenal are a much bigger club than Basel or Monchengladbach.
“Everything is much more professional. The expectations are enormous.
“We are aiming to win titles and get far in the Champions League. The quality level is so high. Everything is much faster and technically better.”
Xhaka has impressed in his early Arsenal appearances with his physical presence and reliable left foot drawing comparisons with Emmanuel Petit.
Wenger has never spent £34 million on an established holding midfielder before, and Xhaka has the potential to give Arsenal’s play a whole new dimension.
West Brom defender Johnny Evans is set to be handed a bumper new contract and stay at the Hawathorns despite interest from Arsenal during the summer.
The Gunners had a genuine interest in Evans, but the singing of Shkodran Mustafi and the fact Gabriel’s injury was not as bad as first feared meant Arsenal did not need another centre half.
According to the Daily Telegraph the Ulsterman will sign a new deal worth £75,000 per week which would make him West Brom’s top earner.
We’ll never know just how Evans’ move to Arsenal would have worked out, but neither party is likely to be too disappointed with the outcome of this pursuit.
Finally, Arsenal target Adrien Rabiot has hinted that he would like to play in the Premier League at some stage of his career.
Arsenal are extremely well-stocked in midfield currently, but have been linked with the PSG defensive midfielder in the past.
Speaking to French outlet Telefoot, Rabiot said: “I really liked my time in England and the life there, even outside of football,” he told French outlet Telefoot .
“I told myself that I will return one day. I have always had the desire to play in England, it is in me. The Premier League – that is football.”
With Jack Wilshere’s long-term future at the club under question and Santi Cazorla 32 in December, this may well be a target Arsenal return to next summer.
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