Arteta's emotional tribute to departing leader
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has shared heartfelt details about Granit Xhaka's departure from the club ahead of their emotional reunion this weekend. The Spanish coach described his complex feelings about losing one of his most influential players while acknowledging it was the right move for the Swiss midfielder personally.
Xhaka returns to the Premier League with Sunderland this Saturday just months after leaving North London, with Arteta labelling his former captain's transfer as potentially one of the best signings of the summer window.
The bond that transformed careers
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Arteta became visibly emotional when discussing his relationship with the 33-year-old. "I loved every minute that we spent together," the Arsenal boss confessed. "When I joined, he was in a special moment of his life and his career, and between all of us, we tried to guide him."
Arteta revealed how the club worked to make Xhaka feel "loved and valued" during a challenging period, with the player responding "in an incredible way" that ultimately benefited everyone involved.
"He made me a better coach," Arteta admitted, highlighting Xhaka's significant impact on his own development. "He helped us to develop and improve a lot as a football team and as a club, and I will be eternally grateful because I have great memories with him."
The difficult decision to part ways
When questioned about whether he attempted to convince Xhaka to remain at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta explained this wasn't his first time facing such a dilemma. "Well, I already did it once and then we extended his contract," he revealed, referencing their previous contract negotiations.
However, the manager recognised that personal circumstances ultimately dictated the midfielder's decision. "When he came in and explained the reasons, you have to understand the human being, you have to be grateful," Arteta stated.
The opportunity for Xhaka to return to his home country and be closer to family proved irresistible, with Arteta acknowledging "it was the right moment" for the player to seek new experiences after their successful time together.
Arteta described Xhaka's approach as "very honest" and "straightforward," qualities that characterised their entire working relationship. The manager admitted the decision "wasn't obviously an easy" one, particularly given his awareness of "the impact that he could still have at the club and the team."
Recognising a unique talent
The Arsenal boss couldn't hide his amusement when visualising his former player, describing Xhaka as "such a character, a huge personality, very funny, super professional." Arteta identified what made the Swiss international particularly special, noting he possessed the "superpower" to "change the dressing room and the spirit of a team."
Looking ahead to Saturday's encounter, Arteta praised Sunderland's impressive start to the season, with Regis Le Bris's side currently sitting fourth in the table after ten matches. The Black Cats have enjoyed a fine start following their promotion last term, with Xhaka playing a significant role in their early success.
Arteta concluded by emphasising the impressive work done by Sunderland as a football club in recent years, particularly their management decisions and stability, which have contributed to their strong beginning to the campaign.
