The midfielder is looking forward to beginning his Gunners career
Former Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka has described his move to Arsenal and the Premier League as a “dream come true”.
After failing to make an outfield signing last summer, Gunners fans had grown frustrated at Arsene Wenger’s lack of activity in the transfer market. However, Xhaka is equally as delighted as the club’s fans about the signing.
“I feel good, now I’m happy to be a Gunner,” Xhaka admitted. “It’s been a big week for me but now it’s official and I’m very happy. Arsenal is a big club. I’ve seen the pitch, it’s unbelievable. It was a dream for me and I’m happy now.”
Xhaka is understood to have cost around £30 million, making him the club’s third most expensive signing, behind Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez.
And that will be a big boost to the club in hope of agreeing a new contract with Sanchez, who is understood to have been questioning his future at the Emirates. But a big acquisition, like Xhaka, could make the Chile international commit his future to Arsenal.
Former Arsenal defender Johan Djourou believes the 23-year-old is a great signing for the club, and believes he has the ability to adapt to the physical nature of the Premier League.
“He’s got the ability to play the Arsenal way; he’s got this aggressiveness about him that will help him in the Premier League,” said Djourou.
“He’s got the ability to play very long balls and precise balls. He reminds me a bit of Pirlo, the way he plays.”
Xhaka becomes Arsenal’s first major signing of the summer, having made over 100 Bundesliga appearances prior to his arrival, and Djourou admits his fellow international teammate has asked him a lot about his time at the Gunners.
“He asked me a lot of things about London and the club and I could only say great things about it because I had a good experience there,” Djourou added.
“I think the people at the club are just amazing so I think he’s going to have a great time.”
