Arsenal star Granit Xhaka returns to international action with Switzerland having put Kosovo debate aside

Back in action: Xhaka returns to the Swiss side after his penalty miss at Euro 2016
Clive Mason/Getty Images
James Benge6 September 2016

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka returns to the Swiss national team on Tuesday hoping to translate his impressive club form to the international stage.

The 23-year-old was in commanding form in the Gunners’ final match of the international break, combining well with Santi Cazorla in the Arsenal midfield, and has made clear that he expects to remain a building block of Arsene Wenger’s side when he returns to London.

Speaking to local media he stated that he had not come to the Emirates to settle for a place “on the bench or in the grandstands”, though the former Borussia Monchengladbach captain offered a more balanced assessment when speaking on Swiss television programme Sport Panorama last night.

“So far I’m feeling comfortable in my role, I hope it stays that way,” he said.

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“I am happy to be playing. If I can play in my favourite position [as he currently is], then even better.”

He added that he had been impressed with his new side, even as he looks to make a major impression: “I have quickly realised that Arsenal are a much bigger club than Basel or Monchengladbach.

“Everything is much more professional. The expectations are enormous.

“We are aiming to win titles and get far in the Champions League. The quality level is so high. Everything is much faster and technically better.”

Having returned to the Swiss side hopes are high for Xhaka, who is looking to put a turbulent few weeks of speculation and debate to one side having declined the opportunity to switch allegiance to Kosovo. He remains a crucial component of Vladimir Petkovic’s side as they begin their World Cup qualifying campaign at home to Portugal on Tuesday night.

Standard Sport reported last month that the newly recognised Football Federation of Kosovo would offer Xhaka, whose parents are Kosovo Albanian, the chance to represent the country. Whilst the Arsenal man did receive their offer he confirmed last week remains committed to the Swiss side.

“Playing for Switzerland is a dream for me,” he wrote in an open letter. “But when I think about the Albanians in Switzerland who will be represented by my presence in the national team, I feel proud, because I will be a good ambassador for every Albanian who lives and works in Switzerland.”

With the issue of his eligibility set to one side, Xhaka is back on international duty for the first time since Euro 2016 looking for redemption. It was his missed penalty sent Switzerland crashing out of the tournament in a round of 16 defeat to Poland, a moment for which the Arsenal man apologised to his country so far.

Xhaka told Berner Oberlander: “Maybe I’m not as strong as I seem… It was a scene that I could not forget.

“But now it’s in the past. And I’d like to say again what I already said: ‘I’ll try it again if the situation comes up.’”

That statement serves only to underline the mental fortitude that convinced Arsene Wenger to part with £33.8million to acquire his new midfield general. Xhaka will doubtless be confident that he can prove his club manager right as he looks to take on a central role for club and country.

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