Theo Walcott speaks about his relationship with Granit Xhaka

Theo Walcott, the former Arsenal star, has spoken about his relationship with Granit Xhaka, admitting that he often misunderstood his former teammate, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

In a statement to BBC Match of the Day, Walcott said that during Xhaka’s time at Arsenal, both he and the fans often failed to truly appreciate the Swiss midfielder of Albanian origin.

“Maybe I misunderstood him at times. To be honest, you could always hear Xhaka on the pitch—whether he was talking to a young player, an experienced one, or even the staff. That character of his was there from day one,” Walcott said.

Xhaka left Arsenal in the summer of 2023 to join Bayer Leverkusen, where he went on to become Bundesliga champion in the 2023/24 season. After two years in Germany, he made a surprise return to the Premier League by signing with Sunderland, where he was immediately given the captain’s armband.

Walcott believes that Xhaka’s experience in Germany and the success he achieved there have raised his level as a leader:

“A lot is said about his discipline and red cards, but the experience he gained in Germany made him stronger as a leader. He never hid when things went wrong, and now that experience is igniting Sunderland,” he added.

Xhaka is expected to return to the Emirates in February, when Sunderland face Arsenal. It will be a special match for the 32-year-old, who once faced harsh criticism from London fans, but is now experiencing a true revival in England.

A rare comeback story for Xhaka—from difficult moments in London, to glory in Germany, and now leadership at the Stadium of Light.