Granit Xhaka says it is a relief that Switzerland will not have to face two of the four Arsenal players initially named in the England squad for tomorrow's friendly at Wembley tomorrow.
The 29-year-old midfielder will captain his country against Gareth Southgate's side as both nations step up their preparations for this year's World Cup and considers it fortunate that goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and attacker Bukayo Saka have been ruled out because of a hip injury and Covid-19.
“Two of them are not playing tomorrow so it’s good because we know the quality they have,” he said of England’s Arsenal contingent. “Of course they have a very good generation now, playing very well, not only in the national team but with Arsenal as well. We’re happy that Saka and Aaron are not playing tomorrow."
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Arsenal centre back Ben White and forward Emile Smith Rowe are still in contention to feature for England, who then face Ivory Coast in north west London on Tuesday evening. Southgate is expected to provide clarity on his options in a press conference this afternoon.
“I think they are a very strong team with a lot of young players and they have experienced players as well," Xhaka added of what he expects from a heavily-rotated England team tomorrow. “They had a very good Euros at home and lost the final but I think that is it, we have to look after ourselves and try to beat England.”
Xhaka was also asked to sum up Arsenal's season so far but said that it is impossible to judge accurately until the end of the campaign as Mikel Arteta's team seek to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2016. “We are doing very well at the moment," Xhaka added. "There are still nine games to play. We have to see what happens in those next games and afterwards you can ask me again how good the season was.”
