By Lloyd Webb
Granit Xhaka says last weekend’s opening-day defeats have heaped more pressure on Arsenal and Leicester City ahead of Saturday’s clash.
Arsene Wenger’s side lost 4-3 against Liverpool while the Foxes were defeated 2-1 by newly promoted Hull City, and the Switzerland midfielder says both teams will be desperate to get their seasons back on track.
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“It’s very important to get a good result,” Xhaka said. “Leicester also lost their opening game and the pressure increases with every defeat. For both teams, the pressure has increased. Our aim is to go away and get the three points.
“People noticed Leicester’s success in Germany and Switzerland,” he added. "It was just an incredible season for Leicester. Defensively they were very strong and offensively very good. They had key players like Jamie Vardy who had a great season. Everybody noticed that in Germany and Switzerland.
“The pressure is much higher now that they have achieved something, but their team is basically the same. They’ve lost one important player but in general it’s very similar to what they had.
“When you look at all the others teams such as Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United, they have all bought really, really good players so it will be a tougher season than last year. We don’t have to hide in the corner, though. We also have high quality in our squad and of course our aim is to play for the title. That is what we will do.”
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