Xhaka made me a better coach: Arsenal head coach Arteta

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta on Friday credited Granit

Xhaka was stripped of the captaincy at Arsenal under former manager Unai Emery after gesturing angrily at supporters who jeered him during a match in 2019.

However, when Arteta took over mid-season, he revived both the player’s fortunes and his relationship with the Arsenal faithful, before Xhaka earned a move to Bayer Leverkusen in 2023, where he won the Bundesliga title and the German Cup.

«I loved every minute we spent together. When I joined he was at a special time in his life and career,» Arteta told reporters ahead of Saturday’s match at Sunderland.

“We all tried to guide him, give him a different perspective, make him feel loved and appreciated, and he responded in an incredible way.”

ARTETA ‘FOREVER GRATEFUL’ TO XHAKA

«He has made me a better coach. He has helped us to develop and improve a lot as a team and as a club,» Arteta added. “I will be forever grateful because I have wonderful memories of him.”

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Despite the midfielder’s rocky relationship with supporters, Arteta stressed that the club always valued Xhaka internally, describing him as a transformative presence in the dressing room.

“It makes me laugh because I just visualized Granit and it makes me laugh because he was such a character, a huge personality, very funny and super professional,” Arteta added.

«One of those guys who can change the spirit of a locker room and a team. That’s a superpower to have.»

«It wasn’t an easy decision (to let him go) because I knew the impact he could still have. But then when you have one of those leaders, you have to have him in the right frame of mind and feel committed.»

XHAKA’S DIRECT IMPACT ON SUNDERLAND

Xhaka returned to the Premier League this season when Sunderland signed him for an initial fee of 13 million pounds ($17.45 million). Regis Le Bris tried to bring in a leader who could mentor the youngsters and players new to the league in the promoted team.

The 33-year-old has provided a goal and three assists, while creating several chances for his teammates. Sunderland are fourth in the standings, level on 18 points with third-placed Liverpool and seven points behind leaders Arsenal.

“Given the impact he has, one of the best signings of the season, I would say,” Arteta said. “I think what they (Sunderland) have done as a football club over the last few years is really impressive, how stable they look and how they have started the season. Really impressed.”

Published on November 7, 2025