Granit Xhaka turns 24 today, while his parents and friends have all travelled to London ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League tie against Basel on Wednesday night, there will be one peculiarity.
His brother Taulant, who plays for Basel, will face up against Granit on Wednesday in the Champions League.
Taulant Ragip Xhaka is an Albanian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Albania national football team whereas Granit represents Switzerland.
Granit and Taulant have already faced each other in the Euros but the prospect of two brothers going head to head in the Champions League remains exceptional.
Taulant while speaking to The Telegraph had nothing but nice words for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger and said that it’ll take time for his brother to get in motion for the North London club.
He needs to be patient but he knows this and I am sure he can progress there,
Arsene Wenger is a coach who takes a lot of young players – he gives them confidence and also tries to help them as people.
It was the same when he moved to Germany, he needed time but he learnt a lot. He changed, became more self-confident, more open to people.
It was a good step to join Arsenal. Granit is very comfortable, very integrated. He is very happy there and he has already scored some super goals.
When asked about if they talk, communicate before or after the matches regularly and his views on Arsenal and the Champion League, he said:
We speak every day, but before a game sometimes not because we have to focus.
We won’t tell each other how the teams play – we are professional.
I hope that after the game we can meet quickly. I need to ask the coach, so hopefully we win and he’s in a good mood.
To play against Arsenal in the Champions League is a childhood dream. It will be special. We both go into it with the same thoughts; that we need to win and give everything.
Despite his limited action, Xhaka has impressed Arsenal fans and pundits with his performances in the middle of the park. Gooners around the world will be hoping that he starts against Basel in the Champions League and scores another rocket.
Happy Birthday Granit. Hope the team plays well and you get yourself a win as a present.
