Granit Xhaka’s World Cup hopes in jeopardy after sustaining injury in training

It’s emerged that Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka’s hopes of competing in the 2018 World Cup have been jeopardised after sustaining a suspected injury to his left knee whilst training with Switzerland in preparation for this summer’s tournament in Russia, as per a report published by Mirror.

It’s believed that the 25-year-old collided with a teammate whilst battling for possession in the rain and was unable to haul himself out of the session without assistance, an initial indication to the severity of the knock which could indeed see him spectate the planet’s greatest show from the terraces.

Xhaka, after being escorted off the turf by two of the Swiss set-up’s staff, was swiftly taken to hospital for further tests and evaluations and will almost certainly miss his country’s friendly encounter against Spain on Sunday, a fixture where his disruptive qualities would have been required indefinitely against such an imposing La Furia Roja contingent.

The Gunners’ steely enforcer is an integral component in the Switzerland national fold having gained 61 caps and 9 goals in the process, so his absence in the centre of the park will certainly be felt, as evidently he’s an experienced influence both defensively and indeed, offensively.

The former FC Basel and Borussia Monchengladbach man also featured in every Premier League occasion for Arsenal during the 2017-18 campaign, a feat that appears to be all he’ll accomplish before the start of the 2018-19 season, if he fails to recover sufficiently from his latest hampering blow, that is.