Stoke winger, Xherdan Shaqiri backs Basel to add Arsenal to their list of English scalps in the Champions League

The Swiss winger started his career at Basel and is backing his former team to give Arsene Wenger's men a run for their money on Tuesday night

Shaqiri backs his old team to beat the Gunners (Photo: Getty Images)
Xherdan Shaqiri is backing his old club, FC Basel to shock Arsenal in the Champions League match tonight.
The Stoke winger, who will play at the Emirates on Saturday, started his career at the Swiss club before joining Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.
Shaqiri said: “I believe in FC Basel and that they can beat Arsenal. Firstly, because Basel are strong at home and has beaten English teams such as Manchester United and Chelsea.
“Secondly, Arsenal are already qualified for the round of 16 and Basel can hope that Arsène Wenger will put out a reserve team. Finally, he has to face Stoke on Saturday at home!”
Another Basel former player, Granit Xhaka will return to St Jakob-Park tonight as he bids to establish himself as a first-team regular after his £34million summer move.
Shaqiri, who joined Stoke last year, said: “The first year in England is always hard. He has to accept the league and integrate into the team.
"At Arsenal, you do not have to make every game, you have so many games. I think he played very well so far, but clearly, England is something different than Germany.
"Every player needs time to get top performance. And by the way, every coach - for example, Pep Guardiola.
"He is realising how difficult it is to get used to the league. Manchester City is the most difficult task of his career for him - more difficult than Bayern Munich or Barcelona. Because it is extremely tight at the top and he cannot simply march through.”
Xhaka, who faces his brother, Taulant tonight, admitted yesterday that he has struggled to adapt to the Premier Legue.
“It's normal when you come to a new club and country,” he said. “You need to get used to the language, the philosophy of the team, the squad, the coach. But I do feel very happy and comfortable here, and I know the potential I have. In football, you just have to develop yourself.
“But it's great to be back here. I was born and raised here in Basel. I played in the youth-team, and had two and a half great years here winning the championship. Being back home is a great feeling. I hope I can take positive feelings back to England tomorrow.”