Granit Xhaka: What Swiss media made of Arsenal star’s World Cup display v Serbia

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Arsenal star Granit Xhaka delivered a World Cup masterclass as he helped Switzerland to the last 16 of the competition.

The Gunners ace won the Man of the Match award for his efforts against Serbia on Friday night.

Recent meetings between Switzerland and Serbia have been fiercely contested and at times controversial.

Four years ago, at the 2018 World Cup, Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri celebrated their goals against Serbia with a double-eagle gesture.

The symbol represents the eagle on Albania’s national flag.

As BBC Sport reported at the time, ‘critics say it could inflame tensions among Serbian nationalists and ethnic Albanians.’

Friday’s match also saw tensions flare as both sides sought to reach the latter stages of the tournament.

Switzerland and Serbia played out an exciting match, with the Arsenal powerhouse’s side running out 3-2 winners.

The result saw the Swiss make the knockout stages, while Serbia were eliminated from the competition.

And the Emirates Stadium star’s efforts saw him earn plaudits aplenty from the Swiss media.

‘He’s still the boss’

Bluewin gave Xhaka 7 out of 10 for his performance.

‘The Swiss team’s metronome again dictated the pace,’ they wrote.

‘Four years after the affair of the double-headed eagle in Russia, the captain of the Nati this time knew how to manage his emotions and showed great calm throughout the meeting.

‘Even the Serbian provocations at the end of the match did not disturb him in his mission. He was voted man of the match.’

Le Matin also gave the Arsenal star 7 out of 10 for his efforts.

‘He’s still the boss on the pitch,’ they wrote. ‘And when Switzerland were down 2-1, it showed.

‘He reorganized the team live, as a conductor. Downside: his altercations with the Serbs.’

La Liberte, meanwhile, went with 5 out of 6 for Xhaka.

‘And suddenly, seemingly bursting the sky, a black eagle soars,’ they wrote.

‘An exemplary captain resistant to any provocation’.