Granit Xhaka became Arsenal's first signing of the summer on Monday - and you can watch his first interview right here. Below is a full transcript:
Granit, welcome to Arsenal. How does it feel to be an Arsenal player?
I am very happy to be here. It’s a dream come true and I’m happy.
You’ve said before that England is your dream and you've not hidden that fact. Why is it so important for you to play here?
I remember I was young and the first game I watched was in the Premier League. It’s a big dream for me and now that I’m here I am very, very happy.
What do you like most about Arsenal?
I like so much. I like the style of football [in the Premier League]. It’s aggressive and I like the way Arsenal play football. It’s not like other countries but it’s very, very nice here.
You say it’s aggressive, and every game in the Premier League is a fight…
Yes, it’s a fight. I like that but Arsenal can also play football and that’s very good.
Is the Premier League similar to the Bundesliga in many ways?
I don’t think it’s the same. In Germany you can play aggressively but the referee will always blow his whistle, but in England that’s not the case. That’s better for me.
How would you describe your playing style?
I like to play football. I’m an aggressive player and also a leader. I’m only 23 but I captained a good team in Germany.
Ottmar Hitzfeld says you’re like a young Bastian Schweinsteiger…
If Ottmar Hitzfeld says that then it’s a big compliment. Ottmar is a big coach and a good gentleman. I don’t know if I’m a young Schweinsteiger, I’m another player. I am Granit Xhaka.
How much did being captain at Borussia Monchengladbach help you become a leader?
When I was younger, even though I had a big brother, my parents would give me the house key every day. It’s in my head that I am a leader and captaining Monchengladbach was very good for me.
Arsenal finished second last season. Do you feel as though they’re on the cusp of great things?
Of course. I’ve looked at Arsenal before, every weekend, and I know they are a big club. This year they finished second and that was a very good season.
Could they finish first next year?
I hope so!
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