Granit Xhaka has admitted that he’s not the fastest on the pitch but makes up for it by being quick in the head.

Since he left the club to go on international duty, he’s been speaking to the press quite a bit, mostly about his international situation. However, in this latest interview, he would not be drawn on the issue any further.

“(takes a deep breath) The people who understand the language and translate it correctly, know what it was in this letter. In addition, the association has issued an official statement. There’s nothing more to say about that.”

He was, however, prepared to speak about his missed penalty from the Euros:

“Maybe I’m not as strong as I seem. It was a scene that I could not forget. But now it’s past. And I like to say what I already said after the game, I’ll try it again if the situation comes back.”

And the difference between the Bundesliga and the Premier League:

“When it comes to tactics, then I think the Bundesliga is a bit better league. For the rhythm in the Premier League is determined later, the physical component more pronounced, it has greater speed. 

“It’s just different. I would even say I experience it as completely different. In England there are teams that operate much more long balls.”

Then he was asked if he has problems with the faster players in the Premier League:

“What does slow mean? Yes, I know I’m not the fastest with my legs. But I also believe that I’ve been pretty fast with my head. Anyway, I never thought: “Oh, oh, oh now it comes to me a little too fast.

“I have not taken the step to Arsenal determined to sit on the bench or even in the stands. But I’m not 30, but will be 24 at the end of September.

“I have changed to a club and a coach who can develop me.”

Asked what he could learn, Xhaka replied, “I think I can improve at Arsenal in the areas of speed and power. Because I realise now that I’m not at one hundred per cent of what is possible there. This too is an advancement.

“About my price I’m not worried. But at Arsenal there are players that I knew only from the Playstation. The I am already excited and then you know that you will train together with those players for the first time…”

Xhaka may have only ‘known’ many of these players from the Playstation, but he certainly has shown that he belongs to be among them.

And to think, he’ll only get better as he ages, matures, and settles.