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Mikel Arteta has tipped Grant Xhaka to become a “very good” manager and admitted pride that several of his former players have been inspired to begin their coaching careers while at Arsenal.

Xhaka will face his former club for the first time since he left for Bayer Leverkusen in 2023 when Sunderland host the Premier League leaders today. The 33-year-old has played a key role in Sunderland’s excellent start since their promotion via the playoffs. Arteta described his former captain as one of the signings of the summer, and his Sunderland counterpart, Régis Le Bris, has said the Switzerland midfielder is “like a second coach on the pitch”.

Xhaka started his coaching badges at Arsenal at the same time as Mohamed Elneny and Cédric Soares and took charge of a youth team that included Ethan Nwaneri. Arteta was impressed and believes Xhaka has the credentials to become a manager.

“I’m sure one day he’s going to be a great coach,” he said. “It would be up to him to decide. That’s not for me, but I think [he would be] a very good one – and many others that have started their licences while we are here. Because they feel inspired, they love it and they see an opportunity as well to improve their lives after they retire.”

Asked whether he would like Xhaka to join his coaching staff one day, Arteta said: “Let him play first. He’s playing every minute of every game, so I think you still have a long career ahead of him. Everybody has a pathway, everybody needs an opportunity. I got one, and the players and the people around you obviously need to have that. Everybody wants to develop and try things in life, and when they feel that’s the right thing to do, you have to let them fly and wish them the best.”