Granit Xhaka proving to be signing of the season as ex-Arsenal star runs the show for Sunderland
Granit Xhaka to Sunderland is perhaps the best summer acquisition by a recently promoted Premier League team. Sunderland and Everton drew 1-1 at home on Monday night, with Xhaka leading the way and scoring his first goal for the Black Cats.
Key statistics for Xhaka vs. Everton scored on his lone attempt to force a draw
• 8.6 Fotmob match rating (Man of the match)
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• 60 accurate passes
• Scored with his only shot to earn a draw
• 5 key passes (most by 3)
• 3 successful tackles
• Dispossessed 0 times
Xhaka, who made the intriguing choice to leave Champions League team Bayer Leverkusen for recently promoted Sunderland, is the best Premier League acquisition this season.
Given that the last six promoted teams have immediately returned to the bottom, it was an odd decision for a player who could excel in the Champions League.
You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who didn’t think it was a horrible acquisition for Sunderland at the time, but for the player, it felt like possible career suicide.
As soon as he was given the captaincy, his significance became evident. They were aware that signing was a huge coup and that Xhaka’s leadership and performances both on and off the pitch would elevate his new teammates.
The former midfielder for Arsenal has been the benchmark since day one, and on Monday night, he gave his greatest performance since coming back to England against Everton.
The season’s Best Premier League signing is Xhaka
Because none of the six promoted teams over the past two years have signed a player like Xhaka, they have all immediately returned to the Championship.
If these clubs sign a talismanic figure, they increase their chances of surviving. Raphinha kept Leeds United afloat, but after his departure, they collapsed.
Sunderland is now led by Xhaka, who is mostly responsible for their fourth-place finish in the Premier League standings.
That stance is concrete evidence that Xhaka has upped the bar, and his remarks following Monday’s 1-1 tie further supported that.
The 33-year-old expressed disappointment with his team’s first 25 minutes at the Stadium of Light, saying, “We started like we finished training yesterday.”
We must demonstrate our standards on a daily basis at this level. You play the way you train. From the start, we were aware that we needed to be prepared. We weren’t.
“I didn’t expect to return to the Premier League after I went to Germany,” he continued. I was well aware of the project. to share the experience and demonstrate the men’s daily job. I’m hoping I can assist them.
When you’re walking the walk, as Xhaka is doing, it comes across nicely to dig out his teammates and tell them there can’t be any coasting. He have the skills and disposition to support such remarks.
Xhaka is getting ready for the “emotional” match against Arsenal
Xhaka’s next game is against Arsenal, his old team. “A sentimental game for myself. It’s incredibly special to play against them here at Sunderland,” he remarked.
It will be fascinating to watch how he handles Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice in Sunderland’s biggest test since promotion.
He dominated the match against Everton, as he has done multiple times in 2025–2026, but Arsenal is a whole other story. His ability to contribute defensively rather than offensively will be more important.
He was once again on par with his teammates since everything he did in Monday’s second half was in the attacking half.
His crossing, passing, and finishing made the difference. Is it possible for him to reach even greater heights in order to defeat Arsenal?
Xhaka’s outstanding performance makes wasteful Everton pay
Xhaka is not known for scoring goals, and when he does, it’s generally a beautiful one.
However, less than a minute into the second half, the Switzerland captain’s low shot went past former Black Cat Jordan Pickford thanks to James Tarkowski’s touch.
Everton’s early dominance paid off when Iliman Ndiaye scored an incredible solo goal in the 15th minute.
Sunderland laboured in the first 45 minutes and were less than a foot away from falling behind inside 12 seconds when James Garner shot just wide.
When you miss opportunities like that when you’re ahead, you always feel like it will come back to haunt you.
Barry had a chance to make it two when he skied a close-range shot with the goal at his mercy. That’s precisely what transpired, with Everton leading by just one goal at the interval.
Pickford might have been busier, but Sunderland was clearly superior in the second half.
However, the Sunderland captain, who is without a doubt the Premier League signing of the year, made yet another noteworthy contribution.
