Granit Xhaka continues to shine for Sunderland, and his latest performance — against his former club Arsenal — left pundit Martin Keown stunned. The former Gunners defender said he had “never seen anything like” the way Xhaka leads, organises, and inspires his teammates during games, describing him as “a man possessed” in Saturday’s thrilling 2–2 draw at the Stadium of Light.
The 33-year-old has been instrumental for Régis Le Bris’ side since joining from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer. Appointed captain shortly after signing, Xhaka has played a central role in Sunderland’s impressive Premier League campaign, which has seen them defy expectations following their promotion.
Martin Keown hails Xhaka’s leadership and intensity
Speaking on TalkSPORT after the game, Keown praised both Sunderland’s tactical discipline and Xhaka’s remarkable influence on the pitch:
“Let’s give Sunderland great credit — the energy they play with, the belief from the crowd, it’s all part of the story. I watched it back again last night, and around 35 minutes in, the ball had a headache! Both teams knocking it long, so many stoppages — no rhythm for Arsenal at all.
“All credit to Sunderland for that. Granit Xhaka was playing like a man possessed, absolutely. He was orchestrating everyone, telling them when to press, when to go long. I’ve not seen anything like that before from a player who’s so important. If he doesn’t stay fit, Sunderland will slip down the table.” — Martin Keown, TalkSPORT
Keown went on to praise Le Bris’ pragmatic approach, saying Sunderland’s system — a compact five-at-the-back setup — makes them difficult to break down while allowing Xhaka to dictate play in key moments. “They’re performing at a level no one expected. Fourteen changes in the summer, a massive turnaround — but no-one more important than Xhaka,” he added.
Xhaka’s numbers vs Arsenal underline his dominance
The Swiss midfielder delivered a commanding all-round display against Arsenal, blending defensive steel with precise distribution. His Sofascore rating of 7.5 reflected a tireless effort in midfield, where he combined physicality, intelligence, and leadership.
| Stat (vs Arsenal) | Granit Xhaka |
|---|---|
| Accurate Passes | 35/39 (90%) |
| Passes in Opposition Half | 17/22 (77%) |
| Passes in Own Half | 15/17 (88%) |
| Tackles (won) | 3 (2) |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Clearances | 7 |
| Blocked Shots | 1 |
| Recoveries | 1 |
| Ground Duels (won) | 5 (4) |
| Aerial Duels (won) | 1 (1) |
source: Sofascore data – 11 November 2025
Xhaka’s mix of defensive presence and passing accuracy was vital in helping Sunderland frustrate Arsenal’s rhythm. His 90% passing success rate — including 77% in the opposition half — showed how he controlled transitions, while his seven clearances and three tackles epitomised his defensive contribution.
The heartbeat of Sunderland’s midfield
Since his arrival, Xhaka has registered four goal contributions (one goal, three assists) in his first 11 Premier League appearances for Sunderland. Beyond numbers, his influence on teammates has been profound — dictating tempo, encouraging younger players, and maintaining structure under pressure.
Keown singled him out as Sunderland’s on-field general:
“He’s literally telling everyone what to do — ‘keep it, go long, press now’. He’s orchestrating everything. Sunderland are fearless and that’s down to him. He’s their brain on the pitch.” — Martin Keown
Our View: A leader reborn in red and white
FootballPlace believes Xhaka has found a perfect balance under Le Bris. “He’s rediscovered the influence he once had at Arsenal, but with even more freedom to lead,” he said. “His energy, tactical awareness, and leadership have made Sunderland’s midfield one of the most cohesive in the league.”
“Keown’s comments highlight how integral Xhaka has become — Sunderland’s system works because of him. He’s the emotional and tactical anchor of the team.”
Key Insights
- Martin Keown: “I’ve not seen anything like Granit Xhaka’s influence” on Sunderland.
- The Swiss captain delivered a 7.5-rated performance against Arsenal.
- Xhaka completed 90% of his passes and won 4 of 5 ground duels.
- He remains pivotal to Régis Le Bris’ compact, high-energy system.
- Sunderland unbeaten in four, with Xhaka the driving force in midfield.
What’s Next for Sunderland?
Sunderland will look to continue their strong run when they travel to face Fulham after the international break. With Xhaka in inspired form and younger teammates such as Dan Ballard and Trai Hume growing in confidence, the Black Cats are shaping up as one of the surprise packages of the Premier League season.
Keown summed it up best: “If Xhaka stays fit, Sunderland will stay up — and maybe even surprise a few more teams along the way.”
👉 Has Granit Xhaka been the signing of the season? Can his leadership keep Sunderland’s remarkable run going?
0 Comments
First read message
Leave a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *