Xhaka ahead of Arsenal friendly: 'Perception of Leverkusen in England different after last season'

04 questions for… Granit Xhaka.

Granit, what came to mind when it was clear we'd play Arsenal in a friendly?

Xhaka: Of course, it is special to go back to where I played for seven years. I had a brilliant time at Arsenal and I'm still in daily contact with lot of players and the staff. From the team that's Thomas Partey, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus above all. Over recent few weeks I've not really been able to talk to them about the game but I have in the past few days. I'm really looking forward to seeing them all again."

Several hundred fans will follow you to London. What can they and you as a team expect at the Emirates Stadium?

Xhaka: It's a special stadium with a special feeling and typical English atmosphere. It gets extremely loud when the home team makes good moves. The Arsenal fans are definitely looking forward to a match at the highest level as are our fans. From a football perspective we’ll face a very strong opponent and that's a huge challenge for us – but also for Arsenal of course.

Is it special motivation for you to return to the Emirates having won two trophies?

Xhaka: The English see Leverkusen with different eyes after last season and the perception is completely different. Specifically for the friendly, the two trophies last season obviously don't bring as anything. In this part of the preseason it's primarily about all players staying fit, us going to the limit in every friendly and getting into the rhythm of matches at the highest level.

Two top coaches of a younger generation face each other in Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso. You've played for both of them. What makes them stand out?

Xhaka: The connection between them is remarkable for professional football: They grew up together in the same city (San Sebastian, ed.). They have their own ways and their own characters but fundamentally follow the same approach to the game. They want to play football and exert pressure on the opposition both on and off the ball. I'm sure both of them will have a great future as coaches.