Xhaka: The Midfielder Who Always Divides Opinion

Some footballers quietly do their jobs. Others attract controversy like a magnet. Granit Xhaka falls firmly into the second category. For over a decade, the Swiss midfielder has inspired passionate debate among fans, pundits, and managers alike. Love him or question his consistency, Xhaka's career tells us something interesting about how we evaluate players in modern football.
The Arsenal Years: A Relationship Under Pressure
When Xhaka arrived at Arsenal in 2016, expectations ran high. Borussia Mönchengladbach had developed him into one of the Bundesliga's most promising deep-lying playmakers. Arsenal paid £30 million, making him one of their most expensive signings at the time.
What followed was not a smooth journey. Xhaka became a symbol of Arsenal's struggles during their post-Wenger decline. His disciplinary record drew criticism—numerous red cards and yellow cards for reckless challenges. His tendency to commit fouls in dangerous positions frustrated supporters who saw him as a liability in defensive transitions.
Yet beneath the surface, something else was happening. Xhaka started more games than almost any other Arsenal player during those turbulent seasons. Managers kept selecting him. Arsène Wenger trusted him. Unai Emery relied heavily on him. Even Mikel Arteta, who initially stripped him of the captaincy after that infamous clash with fans in 2019, eventually restored him to the role.
Why? Because Xhaka offered something difficult to replace. His left-footed passing range allowed Arsenal to bypass pressure and switch play quickly. In possession-heavy systems, he functioned as a release valve, taking the ball under pressure and finding teammates in advanced positions. The statistics often painted a favourable picture—high pass completion rates, progressive passes, ball recoveries. The eye test, for many critics, told a different story.
The Bayer Leverkusen Transformation
Xhaka's move to Bayer Leverkusen in 2023 revealed something important about context in football. Under Xabi Alonso, he has flourished in ways that seemed impossible during his Arsenal tenure. Playing in a more structured system with better defensive coverage around him, Xhaka's limitations are protected while his strengths are amplified.
Leverkusen's historic unbeaten Bundesliga title run in 2023-24 showcased Xhaka at his most influential. No longer burdened with being the primary defensive shield, he could focus on controlling tempo, dictating play from deep, and supporting attacking movements. The same player who faced weekly scrutiny in England became a key component of one of Europe's most impressive teams.
This transformation raises uncomfortable questions for football analysis. Was Xhaka always this good, just misused? Or does Alonso's system make average players look exceptional? The truth probably sits somewhere in between. Footballers are not static products. They function within systems, relationships, and tactical frameworks that shape their output.
The International Stage: Switzerland's Anchor
For Switzerland, Xhaka has been remarkably consistent. Since his debut in 2011, he has earned over 120 caps, representing his country in four European Championships and two World Cups. As captain, he has led Switzerland to notable victories and competitive tournament runs.
His international performances rarely generate the same controversy as his club football. Perhaps the expectations differ. Perhaps the tactical setup suits him better. Or perhaps the emotional distance of international football—fewer matches, less daily scrutiny—allows his qualities to shine without the microscope of weekly analysis.
The 2021 European Championship provided a defining image: Xhaka, arms outstretched, rallying his teammates during the penalty shootout victory against France. It captured his leadership qualities, his emotional investment, and his ability to inspire in high-pressure moments. These aspects of his game rarely feature in statistical evaluations.
What the Debate Reveals About Us
The Xhaka discourse reflects broader tensions in how football is consumed and analysed. The gap between data-driven assessment and traditional scouting persists. Expected goals and progressive passing metrics suggest Xhaka belongs among Europe's elite midfielders. Visual impressions of his mobility and defensive positioning suggest otherwise.
Social media has amplified these divisions. Xhaka became a convenient target during Arsenal's difficult years—a visible symbol of perceived mediocrity. His emotional response to fan criticism in 2019, captured on camera as he shouted and removed his shirt while leaving the pitch, seemed to confirm negative assumptions about his temperament.
Yet the same emotional intensity arguably makes him effective. Football remains a human activity played by people with feelings, pressures, and pride. Xhaka's willingness to engage directly, to show frustration, to demand more from himself and others—these are leadership qualities that many teams lack.
The Bigger Picture
Xhaka's career challenges simple narratives about success and failure. He has played over 400 top-flight matches across three major leagues. He has captained club and country. He has won major trophies, including the 2023-24 Bundesliga with Leverkusen. By most objective measures, he has had an exceptional career.
Yet the questioning never fully stops. That is perhaps his legacy—not a player universally celebrated, but one who forces us to examine our own biases about what constitutes quality in football. The midfielder who looks slow on television but completes more passes than opponents press. The player who seems a defensive risk but starts every match for elite coaches.
In an era of increasingly sophisticated analysis, Xhaka remains a useful reminder that football resists complete quantification. Some players exist in the margins between categories, challenging our frameworks rather than fitting neatly within them.
Granit Xhaka will finish his career as one of Switzerland's most capped players and one of the most discussed midfielders of his generation. The conversation about his true quality will likely continue long after he retires. Perhaps that ongoing debate is, in itself, the most accurate measure of his impact.