Granit Xhaka Reveals Arsene Wenger Offered Arsenal 'Paradise' Ahead of Transfer

Granit Xhaka has revealed Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger offered him the chance to play in "paradise" in his eventually successful attempts to lure him to the Emirates. 

The Switzerland international recently joined Arsenal from Borussia Monchengladbach, and the 23-year-old central midfielder said Wenger first called him last year to tempt him to north London, per German outlet Sport Bild (via ESPN FC's Mattias Karen): "It was madness, he's a legend for me."

Xhaka continued: "He suddenly is on the mobile and wants me. I will never forget his first sentence. He said: 'If you want to enjoy football, you have to join us. Here is the paradise.' He has an incredibly calm but convincing manner. It makes me proud to work under such a coach."

Per Karen, Xhaka was the first signing of what is expected to be a busy summer transfer window for Arsenal, and he cost the Gunners a reported £30 million.

Although he cost a significant sum, Arsenal have been widely praised for snapping up Xhaka, and other high-profile signings could be on the horizon, per football writer Rafael Hernandez:

Signing him so early in the summer was also a huge boost to prevent a drawn-out period of negotiations, and Xhaka spoke of his delight at getting the move completed ahead of Euro 2016, per Karen: "It was very important [to complete the deal before the tournament], I wanted it by all means. It could be very costly if you don't have a clear mind during a tournament. Then agents or clubs call you all the time, you are just distracted. I am just delighted that everything's sorted now."

Even with the recent emergence of Francis Coquelin, Arsenal's long-standing defensive midfield problems have persisted—especially as the Frenchman was injured for a long stretch in 2015-16. 

The Gunners having been lacking any real steel and authority in their engine room since the departure of Patrick Vieira in the mid-2000s, but Xhaka could be the man to solve the problem.

Though only 23, Xhaka is already very experienced having made a total of 108 Bundesliga appearances over the last four seasons at Gladbach, per WhoScored.com.

He is a very effective ball-winner and is adept at interrupting opposition attacks—an asset that will help protect Arsenal's defence—while his distribution and commitment are impressive.

See below for some of his season highlights from 2015-16:

Xhaka's one obvious failing is his temperament—he was sent off three times in the Bundesliga last season—but that should improve with age, and Wenger will likely help him to curb his hot temper.

Clearly he is excited by the prospect of working under Wenger, and he could well be a vital player for Arsenal next season having given in to the attraction of the "paradise" on offer. 

Xhaka is likely to play a key role for Switzerland at the upcoming Euros in France—he already has 41 international caps—as they face up to the hosts, Albania and Romania in Group A.

Another key advantage for Arsenal in having already signed him up is they do not have to worry about his value shooting up or other suitors getting involved if he plays well, but the concern of him picking up an injury will still remain.