Xhaka reunites with Arsenal and Sunderland: Arteta's progress

Granit Xhaka returned to the Stadium of Light to face Arsenal in the colors of Sunderland, two years after leaving the Emirates. The reunion encapsulated two contrasting slices: a 33-year-old Xhaka who is the captain, the pillar that helps the "Black Cats" temporarily rise to the top 4 of the Premier League; and an Arsenal that has evolved strongly under Mikel Arteta, to the point of having to spend 105 million pounds on Declan Rice to fill the void left by the midfielder born in 1992.

From ups and downs at Emirates to leadership role at Sunderland

Xhaka has been through the full range at Arsenal: from being stripped of the captaincy to winning back the fans, helping to lay the foundations for the North London club’s turnaround. His decision to leave Bayer Leverkusen for Sunderland in the summer transfer window, moving him from Bundesliga title contenders to relegation contenders, was surprising. But Xhaka quickly proved his worth.

At Sunderland, he was immediately named captain, becoming an irreplaceable cog. Impressive statistics for ball-winning, chance-creating and passing show that Xhaka’s influence is not just about class, but also about how he sets the tempo for the Black Cats. The familiar number 34 is still on his back, but his leadership has increased.

Tactics and locker room impact

Mikel Arteta, 43, has praised Xhaka’s personality and influence, which can change the team’s mentality. That explains why Xhaka is more than just a central midfielder: he is a moral support, a link between the lines, and a disciplinary figure for his teammates.

Xhaka’s adaptation—from his resurgence under Arteta to his new surroundings at Sunderland—underlines his ability to learn and lead. When the team needs intensity, he helps win the ball back; when calmness is needed, he opts for simple, safe passing; when he needs to create, he knows how to push the tempo and create chances. That impact carries over into the dressing room, where he is a powerful voice.

Xhaka's gap and the Rice - Havertz problem at Arsenal

It took Arsenal six months and £105m to sign Declan Rice to replace Xhaka — a figure that highlights the tactical and mental void he left. Kai Havertz initially struggled in the left-sided No. 8 role, highlighting the uniqueness of the role Xhaka played under Arteta.

Rice has since filled in the missing pieces, making Arsenal stronger and more balanced. However, the foundations for the team to become title contenders were partly laid under Xhaka’s presence – from the discipline standards, the way they react to pressure, to the cohesion of their playing structure.

Sunderland are flying high, a test for Arsenal

Sunderland's temporary fourth-place finish in the Premier League under Xhaka's influence sets the stage for this reunion. For a team that was considered relegation candidates before the season, the stability Xhaka brings — from his ability to distribute the ball to regain possession — has helped the Black Cats maintain structure and belief.

Arsenal, meanwhile, entered the Stadium of Light as a more complete version of themselves: a more balanced structure, better depth and a solution to their midfield problem. In Xhaka today, they also saw their recent past — a journey from a disciplined foundation where each individual had a clear place.

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The meaning of reunion

The reunion at the Stadium of Light is more than just nostalgia. For Sunderland, it’s a measure of the stability they’ve found under their new leader. For Arsenal, it’s a reminder that title chases are built from the ground up — and Xhaka is one of them.

In the evolution of the Gunners under Arteta, Xhaka appeared as a past fulcrum to help them shorten the distance to the title. And this reunion night, although the shirt color is different, his influence on both paths remains intact.