Granit Xhaka shows off dramatic new haircut as the former Arsenal star makes the most of festive period downtime by hitting the ski slopes with his family
- The Swiss midfielder has been at the heart of Bayer Leverkusen’s solid season
- During the winter break he had a new trim and went skiing with his family
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Ex-Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has unveiled his brand new hairstyle as he relaxes on the ski slopes with his family over the festive period.
The Swiss star has been a pillar of strength for Bayer Leverkusen’s impressive team, which is going from strength to strength under manager Xabi Alonso.
Last season, the German team went on a 51-match unbeaten streak, helping Bayern Munich win the Bundesliga title and the DFB Pokal.
They are currently just four points behind Vincent Kompany’s Bavarian side in the league, having lost just one game this season, and are a decent fourth in the Champions League with 13 points from six games.
The 32-year-old Xhaka is experiencing a bit of an Indian Summer in his career. He made 25 appearances in all competitions, dominating midfield and providing five assists.
This festive season he has decided it is time for a fresh start, but fortunately for the Leverkusen fans, only his hair is disappearing.
Granit Xhaka has revealed his brand new shaved hairdo in a heartwarming Instagram post
He enjoyed a skiing holiday with his wife and two children over the holidays
The Leverkusen star was ever-present this season as his side climbed to second place
The Swiss international debuted a new style on the ski slopes in a heartwarming Instagram post showing himself enjoying a holiday with his family.
Xhaka is seen with his wife Leonita Lekaj and their two children with a shaved head, in sharp contrast to his wavy locks of yesteryear.
They are pictured sitting on a thick bed of snow with the two little ones in matching outfits.
In another, Xhaka walks away from the camera, holding one child in his arms and the other by the hand, revealing that the back of his head has also been completely shaved.
The December 28 post is captioned: “Family Time is the Best Time.”
Xhaka has proved an inspirational captain for Leverkusen and in an incendiary interview earlier this season, the former Arsenal midfielder was furious at a draw against Wolfsburg as he called on the side to ‘be honest with each other’ about their current level.
“We don’t need to talk about injury time here,” Xhaka said without being asked BIL. ‘We have to be honest with each other, self-critical enough: this is not enough!
‘It cannot be the case that we concede three goals every match. Especially the way we concede goals.
Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen remained unbeaten for 51 games last year and is also playing well this season
The Swiss international made 297 appearances for Arsenal in north London in seven years
‘It is not the case that the opponent takes us apart, combines nicely and then scores the goals.
“It’s just that we’re not making runs good enough.
‘We call ourselves a top team. But a top team doesn’t concede three goals in 45 minutes!’
Xhaka is currently enjoying a long winter break, with the next match against Borussia Dortmund on January 10, five and a half weeks after their last game – a 1-0 win over Bayern to advance in the DFB Pokal.
