Granit Xhaka on his Arsenal fallout, Sunderland and success in Germany

LONDON – Granit Xhaka, fresh from a historic, unbeaten Bundesliga-winning season with Bayer Leverkusen, has made a stunning and unexpected return to the Premier League, signing with Sunderland. In a revealing interview, the 33-year-old midfielder detailed the calculated career risks, painful setbacks, and personal motivations that have defined his journey, culminating in a move that has surprised the football world and signaled a major statement of intent from his new club.

The Sunderland Surprise: A Calculated Risk

At the peak of his career, after leading Leverkusen to a domestic double and a Europa League final, Xhaka’s decision to join Sunderland—a club focused on cementing its Premier League status—appears counterintuitive. However, the Swiss international framed the move not as a step down, but as a deliberate choice driven by a desire for a new, specific type of challenge.

The move was so unexpected that it drew questions even from his closest confidants. "Even the people closest to me were saying: 'Why are you going back to the Premier League to join Sunderland?'" Xhaka admitted.

His decision-making process was swift and decisive. After a summer fielding an unprecedented number of offers, a single conversation sealed the deal. "After 20 minutes on the call with the owner, I wanted to go to Sunderland. I was so sure," he stated.

Xhaka's rationale rested on three core principles:

• The Project: He was explicit that his move is tied to a long-term vision. "I'm not coming here to play in the Premier League for one year and to go down, because I'm leaving a Champions League club," Xhaka asserted. "I'm coming here to push this project."

• The Challenge: After achieving near-perfection in Germany, Xhaka felt the need for a different kind of professional test. "I came back because I love the challenge and I had the feeling I need a new challenge," he explained.

• The Culture: The environment at Sunderland resonated with his personal values. "This is the right club for me, because the people are very humble. It's a small city like where I grew up. I just wanted to come back in a reality which I believe is the right direction for myself, for my family."

A Career Forged by Adversity and Redemption

Xhaka’s career is a compelling narrative of overcoming significant professional adversity. He identified two pivotal, character-defining periods that he believes ultimately made him a stronger player and leader.

The Arsenal Arc: From Outcast to Icon

Xhaka’s seven-year tenure at Arsenal was a microcosm of his entire career, marked by incredible highs and one infamous low point. While many remember his public fallout with the club's supporters in 2019, Xhaka is keen to put the incident in the context of a long and committed spell in North London.

• The 2019 Fallout: Xhaka refers to the incident, where he reacted angrily to being booed by his own fans, as a "misunderstanding." He now views the episode as a crucial learning experience. "On one side, very bad. On one side, I was lucky to have it," he reflected, framing it as part of a process that made him "stronger and better."

• Seven Years of Service: Beyond that single moment, Xhaka emphasized his pride in his longevity at an elite club. "To be part of a football club for seven years makes me proud... it's not easy to be on this level for seven years."

His departure from Arsenal was a "hard decision," but one made with a long-term strategic view. The move to Bayer Leverkusen was part of a five-year plan, a contract length that underscored his commitment to a new chapter in Germany.

The German Test: An Early Lesson in Resilience

Long before his Arsenal challenges, a teenage Xhaka faced a formative test. At nearly 19, his first move to Germany proved immensely difficult. Homesick and struggling for playing time, he was ready to quit after just six months.

• Pivotal Advice: It was his father’s counsel that altered his career trajectory. "He said: 'If you walk now, you will always walk away, so head down and just work.' I did, and everything changed." This lesson in perseverance became a foundational element of his professional ethos.

The Bottom Line: A High-Stakes Investment

Xhaka’s transfer is more than just a player signing; it is a significant strategic investment by Sunderland and a bold declaration from the player himself. At 33, an age when many players wind down their careers, Xhaka’s market value was at an all-time high following his success in Germany.

• The Investment Case: For Sunderland, the acquisition of Xhaka provides an immediate injection of elite experience, leadership, and a winning mentality. He is an anchor for their "project," a figurehead intended to elevate standards across the club and ensure Premier League stability. Securing his signature amidst a flurry of offers from other clubs is a major coup for the ownership.

• The Player's Gamble: For Xhaka, this move represents a calculated risk. He has swapped Champions League football for a project built on ambition, putting his reputation on the line to prove he can inspire success in a different context.

The implications are clear. Xhaka has set a high bar for himself and his new team, stating his intention is to build, not just survive. The success or failure of this partnership will be a defining narrative of the Premier League season and a crucial test of Sunderland's long-term strategy.