Xhaka prepared to ‘smash’ Martinelli & Jesus if needs be as Arsenal stars prepare to face off in Switzerland vs Brazil

Granit Xhaka has warned Arsenal team-mates Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus he is prepared to “smash” them for the good of Switzerland’s cause.

The Swiss are due to line up against Brazil at the 2022 World Cup on Monday, with that contest set to pitch club colleagues from Emirates Stadium into direct competition. Xhaka says domestic friendships will be put to one side in the heat of international battle, with the combative midfielder happy to kick a few familiar faces up in the air if it helps his side to victory in Qatar.

Xhaka has said ahead of facing Brazil: "We were joking before the World Cup about coming here and of course, it is always good if you have team-mates opposite you, but we are professional footballers for 90 minutes. I told Gabby Martinelli and Gabby Jesus if you are running one against one against our goalkeeper, I will smash you! It doesn’t matter that we are playing in the same team. This is the Word Cup. You play for your own team, you play for your own country and you want to win. Of course they were worried. They know me. If I smash you, it will be very, very hard!"