​When Switzerland defeated Colombia on penalties to advance to the World Cup quarter-finals, Granit Xhaka collapsed to his knees and welled up with tears of joy. The midfielder embodied the Swiss grit that carried them through a raucous and dominant Colombian crowd at Vancouver Stadium on Tuesday, propelling them into the tournament’s last eight for the first time since 1954. This moment also marked another chapter in Xhaka’s remarkable comeback, a journey that has seen him shed a reputation as a controversial figure at Arsenal and emerge as a key figure for Switzerland and his current club Sunderland, while drawing interest from clubs like Chelsea.
Today, Xhaka stands as one of the most influential players in the Premier League, but a mere seven years ago it appeared his career in England’s top flight might be finished. While at Arsenal, he endured a period of fan frustration as some performances disappointed, and on occasion he found himself the target of boos. The jeers grew heavy, culminating in October 2019 when, after being substituted during a draw with Crystal Palace, he cupped his ears toward his own fans in a moment of provocation.
Manager Unai Emery eventually removed Xhaka from the captaincy, and his departure seemed imminent. Yet Xhaka endured and, following Emery’s departure and the arrival of Mikel Arteta, he began a remarkable turnaround. He regained the trust of the supporters through leadership and combative performances, reclaiming the captain’s armband to lead Arsenal to FA Cup glory in 2020. Former Arsenal teammate Theo Walcott once recalled that Xhaka’s voice could be heard everywhere around the training ground, speaking to staff, younger players, and more experienced colleagues alike, even from day one.
After leaving Arsenal, Xhaka joined Bayer Leverkusen, where he helped the club go unbeaten on the way to a league and cup double. He then returned to the Premier League last summer with newly promoted Sunderland, where his influence helped the Black Cats not only avoid an immediate relegation threat but also finish seventh, securing a place in the Europa League for the coming season.
Walcott reflected that the stint in Germany further sharpened Xhaka’s leadership and elevated his impact. His performances drew attention from Chelsea in the off-season, but instead of pursuing a move to a club more likely to contend for Champions League glory, Xhaka reaffirmed his commitment to Sunderland.
Ian Murtagh, a North East football journalist, told BBC Radio Newcastle that Xhaka is “the most influential signing in the North East since Kevin Keegan at Newcastle in 1982.” He added that while Murtagh does not claim Xhaka is necessarily the best player, his influence is undeniable—in terms of raising standards, his ability to communicate with teammates, and his overall impact on the squad.