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‘Xhaka plays Xhaka, it’s a family job’

Arsene Wenger knows all about Basel after their Champions League exploits in recent seasons - which include wins over Chelsea and Manchester United.

But the boss has benefited from some ‘inside information’ ahead of our second Group A game thanks to former Basel stars Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny.

“Yes, of course, [they have helped me] a little bit,” said Wenger. “Because Xhaka plays against Xhaka tomorrow, and so it’s a family job basically.

“I think they might hide each other some truths as well, but of course we know Basel well because we bought Elneny last season from Basel.

“It’s the team that has dominated the Swiss championship for years, and they have had excellent results in England because they have beaten everybody - Man United and Chelsea and [drawn against] Liverpool. So they have made strong results in Europe.

“They are a team who are used to playing in the Champions League. It’s not a newcomer or a beginner in the Champions League, they have huge experience in the competition.

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“This experience goes through the generations and this is why they’re not intimidated. I don’t expect them to be intimidated at all. On the other hand, they have nothing to lose. That’s always dangerous.”

 

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