Arsenal midfielder, Granit Xhaka, has written on Instagram that it ‘breaks my heart’ that he won’t be able to play for Switzerland against Spain in the quarter-finals of the European Championships today.
The 28-year-old has been outstanding for his country at Euro 2020, despite suggestions that he could be heading for the exit door at Arsenal.
During the round of last-16 stage, Xhaka produced a Man of the Match display as the Swiss knocked France out of the World Cup.
And despite a midfield containing Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kane, Arsenal’s marmite-like figure was dominant with and without the ball, including supplying a crucial assist in the dying minutes which took the game to extra-time.
But, unfortunately, for the £30 million player (Sky Sports), he picked up a booking which means he will miss the showdown with Spain this evening.
And this is what he posted to supporters on Instagram before the game:
Xhaka has proven a lot of people wrong with his performances at Euro 2020, but that perhaps doesn’t surprise fans.
Some will question why he is a completely different player for his country than he is at club level.
But he will perhaps point towards the instability and continual decline of Arsenal that has been occurring before he joined and probably when he also leaves.
Either way, Xhaka’s presence, leadership skills, aggression and forward-thinking intent is going to be a miss for his country against a quick-thinking Spanish side, who have started to find their shooting boots.
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