Arsenal boss Unai Emery has indicated that Granit Xhaka’s goal during the second half was influential the Gunners’ triumph over Newcastle United on Saturday. The north Londoners endured a tricky first half where they were pressurised from a number of set-pieces from the Magpies but they managed to hold on without conceding until the break.

Thereafter, Emery’s men showed their class with Granit Xhaka netting a 49th-minute with a neat free-kick and the lead was doubled before the hour mark after Mesut Ozil scored in what was his 200th appearance for the club. The Magpies were never in the game during the second period but they managed to provide a nervy ending for the Gunners after scoring a consolation two minutes from time.

Switzerland international Xherdan Shaqiri is aiming to winning trophies with Liverpool having joined them from Stoke City earlier in the summer. The attacker had made his mind up to leave the Potters following their top-flight relegation last term and Jurgen Klopp thereafter managed to pounce on his services after his impressive display at the World Cup.

Speaking to reporters, Shaqiri has now suggested his ambition to win regular silverware with the Reds and believes the club are more than capable of doing so after showcasing their dominance over Manchester City last season, he said: “For me, nothing is impossible. We can be everything we want to be. We beat Manchester City in the league and the Champions League last season so I think we can beat anyone in the world. It has to be our ambition to compete with the best and to go on the field against whoever we play trying to win the game and dominate the game. Our aim is to win as many titles as possible. That is the goal of the club now and we are looking forward to the season.”

Stoke City midfielder Charlie Adam has criticised former teammate Xherdan Shaqiri shortly after making the switch to Premier League side Liverpool. The Switzerland international had been one of the Potters’ most influential performers over the past three seasons but Adam has put the blame on the attacker following the Potters’ relegation to the Championship.

Speaking on TalkSPORT, Adams said that Shaqiri was one of the players, who failed to show up for the Potters last term after they were pushed into a relegation battle, he said: “Was he one of them? Oh, definitely.When the chips are down you look at your big players, you want your big players to bring magic in one moment in the season, and at times we felt like the so-called big players in the squad never turned up for us and never performed.Yeah, everybody else could help, but for all the plaudits to so-called bigger players we getting from certain members of the management staff last season - they weren't producing.”

Switzerland vice-captain Valon Behrami has assured that Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri won’t repeat the Eagle celebration which could have quit easily got them suspended during the World Cup. The pair made the two-headed Eagles gesture during their previous group stage game against Serbia and shortly after, their opponents reported the incident to FIFA.

Initially, there were suggestions that the duo could be suspended for at least two international matches but after a show of leniency, FIFA decide to fine $10,000 from each whilst captain Stephan Lichtsteiner was fined around $5,000 for joining in the celebration despite having no link with Albanian, who are said to have a poor political relationship with Serbia.

ESPN Pundit Brian McBride believes Arsenal should consider recruiting another defensive midfielder during the summer transfer window. The Gunners have utilised the services of Granit Xhaka in the position without much success of late and the former Fulham star feels the club should add more competition within the ranks. Speaking on ESPN, he said: “They need a defensive midfielder. Xhaka I don’t think is enough of a disrupter. Sure, he fouls a lot, but it’s because he gets out of position.So I’m anxious to see who they purchase.”

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has escaped a serious knee injury during a training session with Switzerland. The 25-year-old recently suffered a nasty collision with compatriot Valon Behrami in training and reports thereafter suggested that he could miss his country’s campaign at the summer World Cup.

However, fortunately for him, the injury appears only a minor one and the Swiss team doctor has now confirmed that he should return to normal duties at the World Cup, he said: “I'm very relieved. We could already see that the ligaments were intact, but we wanted to play it safe, also with regard to the meniscus. We are very relieved that it is only a painful bone bruise - and very grateful that we were able to do an MRI scan late in the evening.”

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown believes the club should consider parting ways with Granit Xhaka when the season comes to a close. The Switzerland international has been prone to positional errors over the course of the campaign and Keown was once again disappointed by his performance against Manchester United.

Speaking after the game, Keown said: “Granit Xhaka has made numerous mistakes and was poor again. There was a time when an Arsenal player could make one or, maybe, two errors and then he would be replaced.Maybe it was more ruthless in those days. Xhaka has played 35 Premier League games, more than anyone else at the club this season.”

Stoke City manager Paul Lambert feels the club cannot be solely reliant on Xherdan Shaqiri to change the club’s fortunes. The Switzerland international is the Potters’ leading contributor this term with seven goals and a further six assists, but this has not been sufficient to propel the club above the drop zone.

New Zealand Football have named a Swiss coach Fritz Schmid as the new national team boss on Friday. The new coach is tasked with managing the side and helping them make their top target: a place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. New Zealand national team had been without a substantive manager since the departure of Anthony Hudson in November. The Briton failed to help New Zealand go past the World Cup intercontinental playoff against Peru. Without a World Cup in mind, there was no extending the deal.

Former Arsenal star Martin Keown believes the likes of Granit Xhaka and Shkodran Mustafi need to provide much more on the playing field in order to secure their long-term futures with the club. The pair have received mixed reactions from the Gunners’ faithful this term, though they managed to recently impress in the double-legged Europa League tie versus AC Milan.