Arsenal supervisor Mikel Arteta says Sunderland’s transfer for former Gunners captain Granit Xhaka was one of many signings of the summer season.
The Swiss worldwide spent seven years with Arsenal earlier than leaving for Bayer Leverkusen in 2023 – the place he received the Bundesliga.
He returned to the Premier League this summer season with newly-promoted Sunderland and has been instrumental of their very good begin which sees them fourth within the desk going into the edges’ assembly this weekend.
Arteta mentioned: “I liked each minute that we spent collectively. When Xhaka joined he was in a particular second in his life and his profession.
“He made me a greater coach, he helped us to develop as a soccer workforce and as a membership and I shall be eternally grateful.
“When he left us it was a singular alternative for him to return again to his nation, to his household and there have been sure issues that he wished to expertise as nicely and I imagine it was the fitting second.
“Now, with the impression he’s having at Sunderland, he is without doubt one of the finest [summer moves] I’d say. I feel what they’ve performed as a soccer membership as nicely in the previous few years may be very spectacular, the administration and the selections that they’ve taken and the way steady they appear and the way they’ve began the season, so actually spectacular.”
Arsenal are six factors away from Manchester Metropolis on the high of the desk and will quickly have some excellent news on the damage entrance.
Gabriel Jesuus is again in coaching however won’t function this weekend, whereas Arteta hopes the Brazilian, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, Viktor Gyokeres, Gabriel Martinelli and Noni Madueke may all be again after the upcoming worldwide break.