Granit Xhaka recently completed his one hundred appearances for Arsenal. Here is a look at ‘Granit Xhaka over the years’, from signing for Arsenal, from making his debut for Arsenal to scoring those #XHAKABOOM’s, to captaining the club, to making that 100th appearance for Arsenal.
25 May 2016. Granit Xhaka is a Gunner
Granit Xhaka completed his move to Arsenal for an undisclosed fee which is reported to be around £30-35 million. The Swiss midfielder completed his move to North London from Borussia Mönchengladbach just before Euro 2016.
Arsene Wenger identified Gladbach captain to fill the void left in midfield by the departures of Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Flamini and Tomas Rosicky.
According to Standard Sports, the fee agreed between the two clubs then made him third most expensive player in the Arsenal’s history behind Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez respectively.
Xhaka signed a five-year contract at the Emirates.
Arsène Wenger said to Arsenal’s official website when Arsenal announced #GunnerGranit: “Granit Xhaka is an exciting young player, already with good Champions League and Bundesliga experience.
“We have been watching him for a long time now and he is a player who will add quality to our squad. We wish Granit a good Euro 2016 with Switzerland and look forward to welcoming him to Arsenal ahead of next season.”
Granit Xhaka’s first words as an Arsenal player: “I’m very proud to be joining Arsenal. I cannot wait to move to London, represent this special club and play in the Premier League. I will give everything to help Arsenal win trophies and make the fans happy”
29 July 2016. Granit Xhaka makes his Arsenal debut
Arsenal faced MLS All Stars with Rob Holding making his debut starting for the Gunners. Jack Wilshere as well as Petr Cech being involved from the start for their first pre-season action of the summer. Granit Xhaka was named on bench after enjoying extended break for extended participation in Euro 2016 with Switzerland.
Xhaka was introduced by Arsene Wenger and Arsenal at half-time. Granit did make an impact on his Arsenal debut – he was enjoying plenty of ball at his feet and showed a couple of glimpses of his abilities with left-foot(a couple of long-range shots troubling the keeper and a direct free-kick which was powered straight to the keeper).
14 August 2016. Granit Xhaka makes his competitive debut for Arsenal
Arsenal faced Liverpool in the opening weekend of the Premier League. Arsene Wenger was under deep pressure with supporters frustrated with lack of change at helm and the opening match was just a fuel to the fans singing ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’.
Arsenal found themselves 4-1 down at one point, though the Gunners faught back ending the game 4-3 on the losing side.
Granit Xhaka made his competitive debut for Arsenal in the Premier League coming on as substitute for Mohamed Elneny in the 67th minute. Granit was on field for 24 minutes and he did show that he was up for the fight, the Siwss made six tackles during his cameo coming on from the bench. Unfortunately for the 23-year-old, none of them were successful. In fact he went in books for committing four fouls, the most of any player in the opening weekend of a Premier League game ever.
Not the debut he would have wanted. Not the debut fans would have wanted.
But certainly a debut to being one of the integral member of the team in the coming time.
17 September 2016. The first #XHAKABOOM
Arsenal faced Hull City in the Premier League and they comfortably outclassed Mike Phelan’s side, coming off the game with 4-1 victory and that screamer from Swiss maestro.
Granit Xhaka opened his Arsenal account with a goal he will cherish for a long long time – An unstoppable long range screamer from twenty-five-yards out shaving into top left corner and silencing his critics.
20 September 2016. Xhaka cannot stop scoring, The second #XHAKABOOM
Arsene Wenger named a decent side to take on Nottingham Forest in EFL Cup with two new signings Lucas Perez and Granit Xhaka holding key to deliver. They both did deliver with Lucas scoring a couple of goals and Granit netting his second thunderbolt in space of four days and this time from thirty yards as Arsenal win comfortably on Road.
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👉It isn’t just the second one: Please everybody stand up because others will follow up 😜
15 October 2016. RED
Granit Xhaka loves to tackle. He just cannot stop himself to intercept and we’ve seen that throughout his Arsenal career. However, he was forced off by Jon Moss against Swansea City with twenty minutes remaining. This was Xhaka’s first red card representing Arsenal and EIGHTH in the last two-and-a-half years and supporters were concerned with his disciplinary records.
22 January,2017. Jon Moss and Granit Xhaka – better love story than Twilight
Granit Xhaka recieved another red card as Arsenal had to dig deep to get past Burnley. Jon Moss dismissed Xhaka who put in a two-footed tackle after being dispossessed by Steven Difour, sending the Burnley players into a frenzy and himself back to the dressing room.
7 May 2017. Big, Big GOAL!
Arsenal defeated Manchester United ending their 25-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League. Two goals in space of three minutes was the difference as Arsene Wenger get the better of Jose Mourinho.
Granit Xhaka had not been on scoresheet since that screamer against Nottingham Forest and it was worth the wait.
Granit Xhaka got that lucky deflection off Herrera to beat David De Gea and give Arsenal their lead before former Manchester United ace Danny Welbeck doubled their lead.
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👉XhakaBOOM is back!💪🏼💪🏼#WeAreTheArsenal ★★★ ⚓#GX29 @arsenal #IWILL #UnderArmour
25 May 2017. The first silverware as a Gunner
Arsenal defeated Chelsea 2-1 to lay their hands on FA Cup and Granit Xhaka played a huge part in the finals with many describing it as his best performance at Arsenal up to date.
Xhaka patrolled the midfield beautifully showing glimpses of greatness he has ahead in the future with the Gunners.
Scoutnation’s PainInTheArsenal described Xhaka’s display against Chelsea as: “His touch was crisp, always looking to spin into space, his passing range was phenomenal, pinging passes short and long, looking forward with every opportunity, and his defensive work was disciplined and refrained.”
22 June 2017. She said YES!
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Nothing related to his goals, his discipline or his abilities here. A big big day that Xhaka and his family will flourish forever. Long time girlfriend Leonita said YES!
6 August 2017. Starting the season with silverware!
Arsenal defeated Chelsea once again at Wembley and this time the Gunners claimed the Community Shield.
Arsenal were trailing since early in second half but Sead Kolasinac headed home scored his first goal for Arsenal in 82nd minute bringing them level with Chelsea.
Xhaka had a very good night coming off as Man Of The Match. He was excellent pivot in Arsenal’s midfield and, according to WhoScored.com, The Swiss managed a tally of 106 touches and finishing the 90 minutes with a passing accuracy of 90%. Granit also managed to create four chances – one of which turned out to be for Kolasinac’s equaliser.
14 October 2017. Watford Happened
Just when it looked like Granit Xhaka can fire Gunners back into top four. Just when supporters started trusting Granit Xhaka – He gave a reason not to.
Poor defending in the closing minutes led to Tom Cleverley’s injury time winner and Arsenal supporters were left bemoaning. With poor defending, supporters noticed Granit Xhaka’s failure to mark the run of Cleverley that led to the goal. The Swiss stood on the edge of the Penalty box and watched Watford midfielder running into Arsenal’s box and scoring the winner.
22 December 2017. Liverpool got a taste of #XHAKABOOM
Arsenal vs Liverpool are always filled with joy and goals and there was again a contender for Match of the season. Arsenal were trailing with two goals since early in the second half and Arsenal comes to haunt Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool by scoring Three in space of six minutes.
‘Granit Xhaka tries his luck from twenty-five yards, we know he can score from there and he has done it again. A thunderbolt thumping in towards Mignolet, who gets his hand in between, but was hit too hard that he cannot keep it from going in.’
Though Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino came on to equalize for the Reds and we were forced to share points, it was a cracker match which will be remembered for a long time.
30 April 2018. Aye Aye Captain
Granit Xhaka was handed the captain armband by Arsene Wenger as young Arsenal side visited Old Trafford but went down with a fight.
Paul Pogba gave Manchester United the lead after heading in from a woodwork rebound of Alexis Sanchez close range effort before Henrikh Mkhitaryan equalized for Arsenal. Though, Marouane Fellaini came to the rescue heading home a 91st-minute winner for United.
Granit came under criticism for not man-marking Paul Pogba that led to the opener for the Reds of Manchester.
But it was a day to cherish for Granit and no one can take away that from him.
13 May 2018. #MerciArsene
Granit Xhaka was part of the iconic eleven that Arsene Wenger named as Arsenal manager for one last time when Arsenal came up against Huddersfield United.
22 May 2018. ’34’
Granit Xhaka opted to take Jersey number 34 from departing Francis Coquelin. It came as a huge surprise to manu but the Swiss international explained the reason behind taking up thirty-four, he said: “The number 34 has a big significant for me. It was my first number as a professional and it’s always brought me luck. I’ve even got the number tattooed on my back and on my arm.
“My brother (Taulant) wears No.34 too and when I left Basel, he took the shirt straight away, so it’s a pretty important number in our family.”
15 June 2018. A Significant Extension
Granit Xhaka signed a new long term contract with Arsenal which will keep him at Arsenal until 2023.
Arsenal’s new Head coach Unai Emery, when Xhaka signed a new deal, said: “I’m delighted that Granit has extended his contract with us. 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.”
Arsenal announced via Social Media:
✍️ Granit’s got a message for you all…#GunnerGranit pic.twitter.com/JllU1sjPfw
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) June 15, 2018
10 August 2018. Officially a Captain
Unai Emery revealed names of five captains and Granit Xhaka was one of them.
Supporters called for Xhaka to be captain multiple times and Unai Emery did hear them.
“The captain of this group is Laurent Koscielny, who is injured at the moment,” Unai Emery told his club’s official website.
“After Laurent, our other captains are Petr Cech, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and Granit Xhaka.
“I want leaders in the team, every player at every time to have the capacity to show leadership, but these are the five players who have a possibility to be the captain.”
15 September 2018. First #XHAKABOOM in a long, long time
Arsenal looked dry upfront against Newcastle United and were looking for something to happen, well Xhaka happened.
Granit netted a freekick from 25-30 yards out to open the scoring for Arsenal..you can’t just help falling in love with his left foot.
23 September 2018. ‘100’
Arsenal host Everton today as Unai Emery name Lucas Torreira in Arsenal’s starting line-up for the first time along side Granit Xhaka who is making his 100th Arsenal appearance. That includes 57 consecutive appearances in the Premier League, 56 as starts.
Arsenal won the game comfortably with margin of two goals and a clean sheet.
Congratulations Granit Xhaka on your century of appearances for Arsenal Football Club, certainly more milestones to come. All The Best Granit!
