Granit Xhaka has sensationally led AFC Sunderland into the top four of the Premier League. On Monday, he also scored – just in time for what is sure to be an emotional reunion.
The shot was deflected and took a short detour over the bottom of the crossbar, but nobody at the Stadium of Light on Monday evening cared: the ball was in, and Granit Xhaka was able to slide on his knees toward the corner flag for the first time in an AFC Sunderland jersey.
The summer signing from Leverkusen scored his first Premier League goal against Everton immediately after the break, since he had bid farewell to Arsenal in May 2023 with an unusual brace against Wolverhampton. But while everyone celebrated him on the pitch and afterwards at the microphone, Xhaka preferred to do Xhaka things: He was annoyed that his goal had only been enough for a 1-1 draw. “The first 25 minutes weren’t good enough, we made sloppy mistakes, too many at this level,” criticized the captain, who felt “half disappointed, half satisfied.” It was only after the break that his team “did exactly what makes us strong: played with emotion, team spirit, and the ball.”
Sunderland coach Le Bris: “He sets standards”
This trio has led Sunderland, which had fought its way into the Premier League via the playoffs after trailing fellow promoted teams Leeds and Burnley by 24 points and was therefore considered a clear candidate for relegation, to fourth place—level on points with champions Liverpool in third and just one point behind second-placed Manchester City. Without Xhaka, everyone agrees, that would certainly not have happened.
The 33-year-old leads the league’s second-youngest squad (25.03 years old, only Chelsea is younger) in a fatherly manner both on and off the pitch. “A player like Granit is really important to us with his experience,” raved coach Regis Le Bris on Monday evening. “He sets standards.”
For TV expert Jamie Carragher, Xhaka is even “the transfer of the year” because: “Is there anyone else in the Premier League who has such an influence? Hardly.” And Carragher said that before Xhaka’s goal debut.
Xhaka on Arsenal: “We know where they are good and where they are not.”
The Swiss player is among the league’s best this season in all kinds of passing statistics, as well as in assists (3) and ball recoveries. His leadership qualities do not appear in any rankings, but they are at least as important to the Black Cats, who, after years of deprivation, don’t know what to do with their euphoria.
“I didn’t expect to return after my time in Germany, but you never know where you’ll end up,” says Xhaka about his triumphant Premier League comeback, which he had vehemently pushed for when Sunderland showed interest. “I’m happy to be back. I knew that this project was about contributing my experience and teaching the boys something every day.” And of course, it’s “always nice to score for a new club for the first time.” On Saturday evening (6:30 p.m.), his old club comes to town: “It’s definitely going to be an emotional game for me,” says Xhaka about the upcoming home game against leaders Arsenal, where he has experienced more than just highs in seven years. “We’ll try everything to get something out of it. We know where they’re good and where they’re not so good. They’re very confident at the moment, but so are we.” Thanks to Xhaka’s debut goal, Sunderland remain unbeaten at home.
