‘I will smash you’ - Arsenal star ready to take on Gunners teammates ahead of World Cup clash

Arsenal star Granit Xhaka says he will have no problem going in hard on his Gunners teammates, when he plays for Switzerland against Brazil in their World Cup clash later tonight at the Stadium 974.

Switzerland beat Cameroon 1-0 in their group opener and will now hope that they record a famous victory against the five-time winners that will see them secure qualification to the next round.

Xhaka has been the fulcrum around which Arsenal have smoothly revolved while Gabriel Martinelli is enjoying his best season in north London. Gabriel Jesus, bought from Manchester City, in the summer has been a breath of fresh air but Xhaka says for ninety minutes he will have to try to stop them - and he’s made them aware of it.

He told reporters ahead of the game on Monday night: “I told Gabby Martinelli and Gabby Jesus if you are running one on 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.”

Brazil will be without Neymar who suffered an ankle injury in their 2-0 win against Serbia. Tottenham star Richarlsion scored a brilliant goal, but Jesus who watched it all from the bench, might be brought in for his first minutes of the tournament in Neymar’s absence.