Granit Xhaka ‘relieved’ as World Cup injury scare not as bad as first thought
Arsenal ace collapsed to ground and was carried off pitch with knee KO during Switzerland training session on Thursday
GRANIT XHAKA is “very relieved” after suffering a World Cup injury scare.
The £38.25million Arsenal midfielder was left struggling after a knock to his left knee in training with the Swiss national team.
Xhaka, 25, collapsed in agony following an innocuous challenge by former Hammer Valon Behrami.
After being helped to his feet by two coaches, Xhaka appeared to be in tears as he made his way off the field.
He was taken to Lugano hospital and it was feared he could miss their opening World Cup fixture against Brazil on June 17.
But Swiss team doctor Pierre-Etienne Fournier said: “The ligaments were intact but we wanted to play it safe. It’s just a painful bruise on the knee.”
Xhaka will miss a number of training sessions and the friendly against Spain on Sunday.
The Swiss FA said: "It is too early to say if he will miss the tournament in Russia."