Michel Aebischer has revealed Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka is his ‘inspiration’ after the midfielder finalised a loan-to-buy transfer to Bologna, via quotes by TuttoMercatoWEB.
The Serie A side have signed Aebischer from BSC Young Boys for the rest of the term. They also secured a €4m (£3.5m) option to purchase the 25-year-old, who has made three of his seven caps for Switzerland beside Xhaka.
Aebischer made his international breakthrough in 2019, yet has only started one game and has played just 161-minutes. But he takes inspiration from what A-team captain and 98-cap star Xhaka has shown in their national side.
Xhaka has been a mainstay of the Switzerland unit since his debut in 2011. The four games he missed while recovering from a medial ligament injury late last year marked the longest run of successive international fixtures the 29-year-old has ever sat out.
The blow also kept the Gunners star out of eight Premier League games between October and December. He has since started six of their next seven games. But Xhaka missed their goalless draw with Burnley after a second red card of the campaign.
It was also the £35m former Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder’s fifth red card since moving to England in 2016. Yet despite Xhaka’s disciplinary record, new Bologna transfer Aebischer views the Arsenal midfielder as his inspiration.
“My idol right now is Xhaka,” Aebischer said. “I admire him, he is a player from whom I also draw inspiration because he plays in my national team.”
Aebischer could face Arsenal ace Xhaka in Italy after Bologna transfer
Aebischer could end up facing his idol, Arsenal ace Xhaka, in Italy this season following his transfer to Bologna. Calciomercato report Roma CEO Tiago Pinto is tracking developments in north London in case an opportunity appears to loan Xhaka.
Jose Mourinho is adamant Pinto must sign him a new midfielder before the window closes on Monday. But Roma’s chances of securing Xhaka’s arrival rely on Arsenal agreeing a deal with Juventus for Arthur Melo. And The Athletic report that deal is in doubt.
Gunners Technical Director Edu had finally agreed to Juventus’ demands to sign Arthur on an 18-month loan with a €40m (£33.5m) option to buy. The north Londoners had favoured a six-month deal, but the Bianconeri questioned finding a suitable short-term replacement.
Yet even after Edu’s dialogue, the Arsenal board refused to hold formal talks with Juventus for Arthur’s 18-month loan-to-buy transfer. So, Aebischer may have to stick to Switzerland squads to share a pitch with Xhaka this season.
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