Granit Xhaka’s top three Arsenal moments as Sunderland star prepares to face former club
Granit Xhaka enjoyed seven years at Arsenal, and the midfielder will now go up against his former club for Sunderland.
Xhaka joined Sunderland in the summer transfer window after two seasons at Bayer Leverkusen, whom he joined from Arsenal.
Arsenal can equal a 38-year record at Sunderland, with the Gunners currently top of the Premier League table.
Sunderland’s 1-1 draw with Everton, courtesy of Xhaka’s equalising strike, has the Black Cats in the top four, and they will fancy giving Arsenal a tricky assignment at the Stadium of the Light.
Before the clash, below are Xhaka’s top three moments from his time at Arsenal.
Granit Xhaka’s first Arsenal goal
The Switzerland international had joined Arsenal from Borussia Monchengladbach under Arsene Wenger in 2016.
Xhaka scored his first goal for the club against Hull City in a 4-1 win with a long-range strike which the Gunners support would become accustomed to over the years.
Having been a substitute in that game, Xhaka came off the bench and announced himself in style with Santi Cazorla and Francis Francis Coquelin ahead of him in the pecking order at the time.
Man United strike
Another spectacular Xhaka strike came against Man United at Emirates Stadium during the 2021-22 season.
Xhaka scored the third and decisive goal of the contest with a left-footed shot pasting the stretching David de Gea.
The victory ensured Arsenal stayed fourth in the table heading into the home straight, and Xhaka’s influence was starting to exert on the squad under Mikel Arteta.
North London derby goal
Xhaka netted his first goal in the North London derby in 2022, as Arsenal continued their strong start to that Premier League season.
It was the first campaign which Arsenal declared themselves title challengers under Arteta, and Xhaka was a pivotal part of that from midfield.
| Minutes Played | 3,004 |
| Pass Accuracy | 86.5% |
| Chances Created | 47 |
| Duels Won % | 52.7% |
| Aerial Duels Won % | 55.2% |
The 2022-23 season was to be Xhaka’s last in the red of white half of north London, so what fitting way to begin the farewell tour by scoring against the clubs fiercest rivals.