Alan Shearer has issued high praise to one player Mikel Arteta watched leave Arsenal in 2023.
Given how strong the current Arsenal squad is, it’s unlikely that the Gunners will be feeling any sense of ‘what if’ when it comes to former players.
On matchday nine, Arteta’s side maintained their lead at the top of the Premier League table, beating Crystal Palace 1-0 at the Emirates.
Despite Shearer being complimentary of Arsenal after the win over Palace, no member of the squad made his Premier League Team of the Week, but one former star did.
Alan Shearer says former Arsenal star Granit Xhaka is on another level
Many players with ties to Arsenal are currently in the Premier League, including Granit Xhaka.
Xhaka stunned fans by signing for Sunderland, pulling the plug on his brief time at Bayer Leverkusen to return to England.
Neither the Black Cats nor the former Arsenal captain have looked back since the transfer, as after matchday nine, Xhaka is collecting all the praise.
The Swiss international earned a spot in Shearer’s Team of the Week, where the pundit dubbed the 33-year-old ‘on another level’ to others on the pitch.
“Produced a midfield masterclass. He was on another level, keeping the ball moving, thwarting several Chelsea attacks and once again showing why he’s been an incredible signing for Sunderland.”
Sunderland beat Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge to end the week sitting fourth in the table.
It wasn’t only Shearer who singled out the ex-Arsenal man after the contest, as Troy Deeney likened Xhaka to John Terry for his experienced presence on the pitch.
How Granit Xhaka compares to Declan Rice this season
Though Arsenal’s squad depth is at an all-time high, some at the club might be wondering how different things would be with Xhaka on board.
Declan Rice replaced Xhaka in the 2023 summer transfer window, so there was no feeling of yearning for Arsenal, but the two players aren’t far apart at all.
| Statistic | Granit Xhaka | Declan Rice |
| Appearances | 9 | 9 |
| Goal contributions | 3 | 3 |
| Key passes p/g | 1.2 | 1.8 |
| Tackles p/g | 1.9 | 1.1 |
| Duels won p/g | 6.2 | 2.9 |
Very few would’ve expected Xhaka to be battling Rice for the title of the best midfielder in the 2025/26 Premier League when he left Arsenal to sign for Bayer Leverkusen.
It’s been a marvellous start to life back in England for the former Gunner, who is making all the difference at the Stadium of Light.
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