Who is Granit Xhaka? The temperamental Arsenal midfielder caught up in alleged racism storm
Gunners star questioned by police over incident at Heathrow airport a day after being sent off against Burnley
Sponsored by
GRANIT XHAKA is facing a police investigation after being caught up in an alleged race-row at Heathrow Airport.
Arsenal midfielder Xhaka has been question amid allegations he racially abused a British Airways member of staff.
The incident came less than 24 hours after the Gunners ace was sent-off in the Premier League clash with Burnley - his second red card of the season.
Keep up to date with ALL the Arsenal news, gossip, transfers and goals on our club page plus fixtures, results and live match commentary
SunSport gives you the lowdown on the controversial Swiss international.
Who is Granit Xhaka?
Granit Xhaka is a professional footballer who plays for Arsenal and the Switzerland national team.
The 24-year-old began his career playing his top Swiss side Basel - his hometown club - and helped them to win the league title in both his seasons in the first team.
Xhaka soon caught the eye of Borussia Monchengladbach in the German Bundesliga, and they paid £7.2million to sign him on a five-year contract in May 2012.
Over the next four years Xhaka became an integral part of the Monchengladbach side, eventually being named club captain in 2015.
His reputation had grown across Europe and after months of speculation he joined Arsenal in May 2016 in a deal worth £30m, hailed as the key holding midfield player the club had been searching for.
Where is Granit Xhaka from?
Granit Xhaka was born and raised in Basel, Switzerland to Kosovo Albanian parents.
He has courted controversy in Switzerland after publicly saying he also considers himself to be Albanian because of his parentage.
His parents are Kosovar Alabanian who emigrated to Switzerland before the birth of their children.
Xhaka is the younger brother of Taulant Xhaka, who is also a professional footballer playing for Basel - and who plays for the Albania national team.
Granit Xhaka elected to represent Switzerland and the pair faced each other when the two nations were drawn against each other in the same group at Euro 2016.
What did Granit Xhaka say in his racism storm?
Granit Xhaka was interviewed by police after an incident alleged to have taken place at Heathrow Airport on Monday 23 January.
Xhaka is claimed to have been involved in a bust-up with a member of British Airways staff when he was at the airport with a friend.
Witnesses claim he racially abused a member of airport staff in German, allegedly calling her a "f****** white b****".
Metropolitan Police said: “Police were called at 19:29hrs on Monday, 23 January following an allegation that a member of staff had been racially abused at Heathrow Airport, Terminal Five.
“The allegation was made by a third party.
“Officers attended and spoke to a man in his 20s. He was not arrested. He voluntarily attended a west London police station where he was interviewed under caution.
“Enquiries continue.”
What is Granit Xhaka's disciplinary record?
Granit Xhaka was sent off in Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Burnley in January - the second time he has been shown a red card this season.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he has to speak to Xhaka to tell him he must start to control himself as his discipline has become an issue.
His dismissal against Burnley was the ninth time he has been sent-off in the previous three years.
He saw red six times playing for Borussia Monchengladbach, and was also dismissed playing for Switzerland on top of his two red cards at Arsenal.
Wenger said: "He has to control his game and not punish the team with his lack of control and his tackling."
