Xhaka rewrites his destiny at age 33.

Three years ago, Granit Xhaka left Arsenal quietly after being abandoned by his own fans. Now, he is being hailed as "the signing of the season".

Xhaka has been hailed as "the signing of the season".

Sunderland isn't a team that everyone thinks can spring a surprise in the Premier League. But with Granit Xhaka, all limits suddenly seem fragile. At 33, the Swiss midfielder is playing the best football of his career, both calm and fiery.

Ten years ago, Xhaka was a standout talent at Gladbach. Seven years ago, he was booed by Arsenal fans and stripped of the captaincy for jeering at them. Now, Xhaka is being hailed as an inspiration and a symbol of professionalism at a newly promoted team. Football rarely gives anyone a second chance. But Xhaka has turned that opportunity into a spectacular rebirth.

Moving to Sunderland from Bayer Leverkusen for £13 million, Xhaka didn't come to enjoy his twilight years. He came to be a leader. Manager Regis Le Bris had a young, inexperienced squad that needed a "brain" to control the tempo. Xhaka provided exactly that: a pillar of support, a tempo setter, a spiritual leader.

After just 10 rounds of matches, his influence was evident. Three assists, one goal, and a host of impressive statistics: top 20 for passes, crosses into the box, and ball recoveries. Xhaka created more chances from set pieces than most midfielders in the Premier League. And most importantly, he helped Sunderland play as a well-organized and controlled team.

Xhaka is the captain of Sunderland.

His goal against Everton on the morning of November 4th, a sublime long-range strike that helped Sunderland secure a point, was not only his first Premier League goal since 2023. It was an iconic moment: Sunderland, a team that had once struggled in the Championship, now sits in the top four; and Xhaka, once rejected by Arsenal, is now celebrated across England.

Former Liverpool centre-back Jamie Carragher called him “the signing of the season.” Jonny Evans, a former Manchester United star, put it more simply: “He’s the only one in the team everyone can trust.” In the dressing room, Xhaka doesn’t need to say much. He shows it through his actions, always the first to arrive on the pitch, always the last to leave.

At Arsenal, Xhaka was a symbol of fiery temper. But at Sunderland, he's a symbol of composure. No more arguments, no more stupid red cards. Just a man who's been through enough roughhousing to understand what balance means.

"I want young players to understand that football is real life, not social media," he said. "Don't let online comments make you forget who you are."

If Sunderland can finish the season in the top 10, or even just avoid relegation, Granit Xhaka's name will still be etched in their memories.

Perhaps it is precisely that experience that earns Xhaka the respect he deserves. Sunderland has many new players, many faces unfamiliar with the pressure of the Premier League. They look to Xhaka, a player who has been insulted, who has lost everything, and see in him a testament: if you maintain faith, football always finds a way to reward you.

From Arsenal to Leverkusen, from failure to glory, from hated to loved, Xhaka's journey is proof of the power of perseverance. He was once labeled a "villain," but now, people only see a calm, inspiring leader.

In a Premier League teeming with young stars, Xhaka is no longer a sprinter. He runs with experience, intelligence, and the rhythm of someone who has stood on the brink and knows how to turn back.

If Sunderland can finish the season in the top 10, or even just avoid relegation, Granit Xhaka's name will still be etched in their memories. Not as a "signing of the season," but as a man who rediscovered himself in the most unexpected place.

Source: https://znews.vn/xhaka-viet-lai-so-phan-o-tuoi-33-post1599734.html