Granit Xhaka
Midfielder · Bayer Leverkusen · Switzerland
Granit Xhaka's football career has been one of the most compelling redemption arcs in modern European football. From being stripped of the Arsenal captaincy in a bitter public falling-out in 2019 to becoming one of the most decorated and respected midfielders in the Bundesliga — his journey is a masterclass in resilience and reinvention.
The Swiss midfielder left Arsenal for Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2023 after a decade in the Premier League. What happened next was history. Under Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen completed an unbeaten Bundesliga season in 2023-24 — the first time in the competition's history a team had gone the entire season without losing a league game. Xhaka was the heartbeat of that extraordinary achievement, captaining the side and driving the club's style with his composure, leadership, and range of passing.
Born in Basel, Switzerland to Albanian-Kosovar parents, Xhaka has played over 100 times for the Swiss national team and remains their captain and spiritual leader. His reputation has been fully restored and his legacy is now written in Bundesliga history. A move to Leverkusen proved to be the best decision of his career.
Born: 27 Sep 1992, Basel
Club: Bayer Leverkusen
Position: Defensive/Left Midfielder
Nationality: Swiss
Shirt: #34
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
Previous Club: Arsenal (2016–2023)
Bundesliga Champions — Unbeaten 2023-24
Bayer Leverkusen went 34 games unbeaten to win the Bundesliga title under Xabi Alonso — the first time in Bundesliga history. Xhaka captained every step of the journey as the engine room of one of Europe's most captivating teams. Leverkusen also reached the Europa League Final that season.
Xhaka Highlights
Granit Xhaka Loves A Tackle 💪
Switzerland On Playing Argentina | Murat Yakin & Granit Xha…
Switzerland On Playing Qatar | Murat Yakin And Granit Xhaka…
Team Feature: Switzerland | Granit Xhaka In Focus As The Sw…
Shaqiri, Xhaka & Switzerland | Every FIFA World Cup Goal (2…
Switzerland v Canada Clash For Top Spot | 2026 World Cup EX…
90+4' CHAOS | Qatar v Switzerland | 2026 World Cup EXTENDED…
Switzerland Survive Costa Rica Chaos | 2018 World Cup 60-Se…
1-Minute Highlights | Switzerland Leave It Late Against Ecu…
60-Second Highlights: Serbia 1-2 Switzerland | 2018 World C…
90+3' WINNER! Switzerland's Dramatic Win Over Ecuador | 201…
FOUR-GOAL THRILLER | Switzerland v Costa Rica | 2018 World …
Serbia 1-2 Switzerland | 2018 World Cup EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS
10-Minute Highlights | Serbia 2-3 Switzerland | 2022 World …
1-Minute Fireworks | Serbia 2-3 Switzerland | 2022 World Cup
EVERY Switzerland World Cup Goal (2018-2026)
ALL Switzerland goals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup 🇨🇭
Switzerland | ALL GOALS | FIFA World Cup 2026™
Latest News
World Cup 2026: How Granit Xhaka will make or break Switzerland's tournament ho…
Granit Xhaka reveals difference between Mikel Arteta and new Chelsea boss Xabi …
Granit Xhaka's message to Arsenal during title celebrations speaks volumes
Xhaka makes fourth Switzerland World Cup squad
Mikel Arteta transfer decisions that made angry Arsenal fans look stupid: Xhaka…
Fans question Granit Xhaka role, as Switzerland make confusing set-piece choice
Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka is 'TOXIC', team-mates fear: Reports claim pla…
Xhaka captains Switzerland vs Bosnia LIVE!
Switzerland vs Canada - World Cup Group B LIVE: Co-hosts set to battle it out f…
Switzerland vs Canada - World Cup Group B LIVE: Co-hosts battle it out for top …
Transfer news LIVE: Xhaka to Chelsea, Arsenal second Bruno bid, Man Utd new tal…
Chelsea in talks to sign Sunderland's Xhaka
Chelsea interested in Granit Xhaka to reunite midfielder with Xabi Alonso
Chelsea interested in signing Xhaka
Chelsea weigh up stunning move for Sunderland's Granit Xhaka, 33.... with ex-Ar…
Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea move for Granit Xhaka, Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal a…
The two reasons ex-Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka wants to complete shock Chelsea…
Romano reveals how much Chelsea are willing to pay Sunderland for Xhaka after &…
Transfer rumour ranking: Will Xhaka force Chelsea move? Man Utd react to Spurs
Sunderland latest: Xhaka not for sale amid Chelsea interest
Analysis & Features
Xabi Alonso wanted Granit Xhaka at Chelsea. He got Jordan Henderson instead.
Sunderland hold firm as Chelsea face Xhaka transfer reality check
Chelsea fans are losing their minds over the Xhaka saga
Granit Xhaka is the heartbeat of Switzerland's World Cup ambitions
Xabi Alonso's Chelsea rebuild is already falling apart
Granit Xhaka snubs Chelsea to trigger Xabi Alonso's first major crisis
Chelsea's transfer plans scrambled by Xhaka snub and new Summerville battle
Chelsea Prepare Second Xhaka Bid After Sunderland Reject Lowball Offer
Chelsea's pursuit of Granit Xhaka exposes their recruitment flaws
Chelsea bid for Granit Xhaka triggers furious Sunderland transfer battle
Career Overview
Club Career
- 2010–2012: Basel
- 2012–2016: Borussia Mönchengladbach
- 2016–2023: Arsenal
- 2023–present: Bayer Leverkusen
- Bundesliga champion (unbeaten) 2024
International Career
- Switzerland debut: 2011
- 100+ Switzerland caps
- Switzerland captain
- Multiple World Cup / Euro campaigns
- World Cup 2026 contender
Playing Style
- Long, precise passing range
- Ball-winning midfield anchor
- Powerful left-foot strike
- Leadership and captaincy
- Reading the game at elite level
The Arsenal Chapter — 2016–2023
Xhaka's seven years at Arsenal were turbulent. He was appointed captain in 2019 but infamously removed from the role after sarcastically applauding fans while being substituted off. What could have ended his Arsenal career actually sparked a remarkable turnaround. Mikel Arteta, who arrived months later, restored his captaincy and rebuilt him as one of the Premier League's most composed and effective central midfielders. By the time he left for Leverkusen in 2023, the Emirates stood to give him a genuine hero's farewell. His redemption arc remains one of the Premier League's most memorable stories of the Arteta era.