Stoke’s Xherdan Shaqiri has been handing out some advice to Granit Xhaka about settling into life in England.

The Swiss playmaker, who surprised everyone when he signed for Stoke in 2015, was speaking before Arsenal played his old side, FC Basel.

“The first year in England is always hard,” Shaqiri said about Granit Xhaka who has been eased into the starting lineup by Arsene Wenger. “He has to accept the league and integrate into the team.

“At Arsenal you do not have to make every game, you have so many games. I think he played very well so far, but clearly, England is something different than Germany.

“Every player needs time to get top performance.”

Shaqiri also spoke about the game itself, predicting a Basel win. “I believe in FC Basel and that they can beat Arsenal.Firstly because Basel are strong at home and has beaten English teams such as Manchester United and Chelsea.

“Secondly, Arsenal are already qualified for the round of 16 and Basel can hope that Arsène Wenger will put out a reserve team.

“Finally, he has to face Stoke on Saturday at home!”

Wenger, as you know, did not field a side of reserves.

He started his main men, smashed Basel and then gave Alexis and Ozil a rest during the second half so they can do the same to Stoke at the weekend.

That is, of course, as long as the referee doesn’t allow them to be kicked to pieces.