Unai Emery has hailed Granit Xhaka as the Swiss midfielder put pen-to-paper on a new Arsenal deal.
The 25-year-old, who was Arsenal’s mainstay last season, has come in for a mixed reception from some fans who seem to be under the impression he gives the ball away much more than he actually does.
Selected more than any other player in the Arsenal squad last season, Xhaka seems set for a key role under Emery as well with the new manager hoping to help the player to develop even further.
“I’m delighted that Granit has extended his contract with us,” Emery told Arsenal.com.
“He’s an important member of the squad and is still young so will be able to develop even more. I hope he has a successful World Cup with Switzerland and comes back fit and ready for the new season.”
Xhaka is one of only a handful of Arsenal players at the World Cup this summer. He gets his tournament underway, alongside Arsenal new boy Stephan Lichtsteiner, on Sunday evening with a massive game against Brazil.
The Swiss team, meanwhile, seem to be getting what many might consider an ‘authentic’ Soviet experience as you can see from the photographs of their training base in the country.
- Torpedo Stadium
- Torpedo Stadion Tolyatti Bild: 20min
They are based at the Torpedo Stadium in Tolyatti, the home of FC Togliatti, about 1,000km from Moscow.
The Togliatti academy is seen as one of the most prestigious in the country.
Xhaka is preparing for a long stay in the country, telling the media in his home country “Anyone who knows me, knows that I always pack until the final.”