Granit Xhaka has become the first Arsenal player to admit they are aiming to go into the World Cup break on top of the Premier League - and the midfielder said he has no fears of injury by playing every game before going to Qatar.
Mikel Arteta’s side eight-match winning run has taken them five points clear at the top of their Europa League group - and four points ahead of champions Manchester at home. The Gunners have only four Premier League matches before the World Cup, starting with a trip to Southampton on Sunday.
Asked if being top is now the aim to be still top when the domestic competition pauses on November 13, Xhaka said: “It has to be. When you are there you have to be there as long as possible in this place.
