Latest News About Granit Xhaka

Granit Xhaka, the Swiss midfielder currently captaining Sunderland in the Premier League, has been sidelined by an ankle injury sustained in late January 2026 against Crystal Palace.[1]

Injury Timeline

Xhaka missed matches against West Ham, Burnley, Liverpool, and Oxford United due to the injury, with initial assessments indicating 2-3 weeks out. By early February, manager Regis Le Bris reported he was progressing but still needed time, ruling him out for several more games including a potential Arsenal reunion. As of mid-February updates, he trained partially and targeted a return against Fulham around February 22, though full fitness remained uncertain.[2][1]

Team Impact

Sunderland reshuffled its midfield without Xhaka, dropping Enzo Le Fee deeper and starting players like Eliezer Mayenda and Romain Mundle. Prior to injury, Xhaka started all 23 matches, scoring once and assisting five times, making his absence a major blow to the squad's stability.[1]

Recent Context

No updates post-February 22 appear in available sources as of April 2026 searches, but earlier reports noted fan interactions (e.g., a heated exchange with a West Ham supporter) and praise from Arsenal's Mikel Arteta ahead of a potential matchup. Xhaka, formerly of Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen, returned to the Premier League with Sunderland last year.[3][6]

In summary, Xhaka's recovery from the ankle issue dominated recent headlines through February 2026, with his return eagerly anticipated for Sunderland's campaign.[1]