Granit Xhaka shows true Arsenal feelings with honest Tottenham admission

Granit Xhaka has admitted he is looking forward to facing Arsenal and Tottenham in the Premier League with Sunderland this season.

The 33-year-old joined the Black Cats from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth around £17million in the summer and has impressed during his time at the Stadium of Light so far. The midfielder has made seven appearances and contributed three assists during his time on the pitch.

Xhaka spent seven years at Arsenal before leaving for Germany in July 2023 and is clearly looking forward to playing against his former side. Interestingly, the Switzerland international is also excited at the prospect of facing Tottenham given the north London rivalry between the Gunners and the Lilywhites.

• Ndombele setback, Son and how the 17 players who left Tottenham in the past 18 months are doing
• Hamburg chief makes huge Luka Vuskovic transfer claim ahead of Tottenham January decision

As reported by Sunderland Echo, Xhaka was asked for the three teams he was most looking forward to facing in a Sunderland shirt. “Okay, so this one is not so complicated, for sure. Newcastle first,” he said. “Yeah. I know what it means for Sunderland, for the fans, for the football club to have this derby.

"I have many, many derbies in my career. But I hear this one will be maybe the craziest what I've had in my career. And I want to be there on the pitch and to feel it and just to enjoy the moment.

“Second is my ex-ex-club, let's say. Where I've been for seven years, had seven fantastic years there. Even today, the contact is there with the coaches, with the players, with the members of the club, and I'm just thankful for everything.

“And of course, Tottenham, because I have the derby as well, Arsenal, Tottenham, in the stadium, the atmosphere there. And this is my ranking from one to three.”

Arsenal are due to travel to Stadium of Light on November 8, while the reverse fixture is scheduled for February 7. Xhaka's side will then face Tottenham in north London on January 3 before welcoming Thomas Frank's squad to the north east on April 11.

Xhaka will likely get a decent reception from Arsenal's supporters as it's clear the midfielder holds the club in extremely high regard. "Gunners, it's been some journey - and all that's left is for me to say thank you," Xhaka wrote on Instagram when he left the club in 2023.

"I've spent seven years at Arsenal. The club has become such an important part of my life - and it's not easy to leave. But now is the right time for a new adventure. There are so many people I need to thank - the managers I played for, all my team-mates and the staff behind the scenes.

"And I especially want to thank all of you. Everyone knows we've been through some tough times. But we came through them together - and I'll never ever forget the feeling I had each time we won the FA Cup or whenever I heard you singing my name. Pure goosebumps! I will always carry Arsenal in my heart. Once a Gunner, always a Gunner."