Swiss · Basel, Switzerland · Born 27 September 1992Arsenal's divisive warrior — the captain who was stripped of the armband and then redeemed as a Bundesliga champion.
Granit Xhaka was born in Basel, Switzerland in 1992 — his brother Taulant also plays international football for Albania. Arsenal paid £35 million for him in 2016. His seven Arsenal seasons were among the most turbulent of any modern player — stripped of the captaincy in 2019 after cupping his ears at fans booing him off the pitch during a loss, then subsequently restored. He became one of Arsenal's most consistent performers under Mikel Arteta. He left Arsenal to join Bayer Leverkusen in 2023 — part of the team that went unbeaten through the entire Bundesliga season and DFB-Pokal under Xabi Alonso, becoming Bundesliga champions for the first time in the club's history. He represented Switzerland 129 times — the most capped Swiss footballer. His career arc — from controversial Arsenal figure to Bundesliga champion — is one of football's most unlikely individual rehabilitation stories.
Captaining Switzerland and his long-range passing ability
How They Played
Deep-lying playmaker with excellent passing range and strong defensive work rate
Lasting Impact
Key midfielder for club and country with exceptional leadership qualities
Career Honours
- Bundesliga (2024 unbeaten)
- DFB-Pokal (2024)
- FA Cup (2020)
- Swiss Cup
- Bundesliga 2024
- DFB-Pokal 2024
- FA Cup 2020
- Swiss Cup 2013
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FC Basel | 2010–2012 | — | 67 | 5 | #29 |
| Borussia Mönchengladbach | 2012–2016 | — | 140 | 7 | — |
| Arsenal | 2016–2023 | — | 297 | 23 | — |
| Bayer Leverkusen | 2023–2024 | €25m | 45 | 7 | — |
 Switzerland | — | — | 130 | 13 | — |
Swiss Athletes