Arteta Calls Xhaka’s Sunderland Move One of Best Signings

Xhaka returned to England with newly promoted Sunderland in July after spending two years at Bayer Leverkusen, leaving the Emirates Stadium in 2023.

 Arteta reluctantly allowed Swiss international Xhaka to leave after seven seasons at the club due to his desire to return to Germany, but he had very positive things to say about the midfielder ahead of Saturday's visit to the Stadium of Light.

“Yeah, I loved every minute that we spent together,” Arteta said, before he discussed one of his first major decisions in 2019 to convince Xhaka to stay following a tricky time under predecessor Unai Emery.

 “When I joined Granit was in a special moment in his life and in his career and, between all of us, we tried to guide him, to give him a different perspective and to make him feel loved and valued.

“He responded in an incredible way. He made me a better coach, he helped us to develop and improve a lot as a football team and as a club. I will be eternally grateful because I have great memories.”