Granit Xhaka says his new contract at Arsenal underlines his importance to the club and also proves that new coach Unai Emery rates him.

The Swiss international, who signed for the Gunners from Borussia Moenchengladbach two years ago for £35 million, has penned a three-year extension that keeps him at the Emirates until 2024.

“On the one hand it shows the importance that I have acquired at Arsenal,” he told the official website of the Swiss Football Association.

“On the other I also feel the appreciation the new coach.”

He added “It [the extension] gives me a lot of planning security, London remains my centre of life for years.

“I have shown that I can withstand the enormous pressure [of the Premier League] and now the next step has to follow.”

Xhaka was speaking from Russia where he’s preparing for Switzerland’s opening World Cup clash with Brazil.

Alongside him will be Arsenal new boy Stephan Lichtsteiner, who with countless trophies to his name, is the perfect mentor for Xhaka at both domestic and international level.

The 34-year-old says he’s looking forward to helping his compatriot develop in the coming years.

“I’ve known Granit now for more than six or seven years, so he’s just an amazing player,” he told Arsenal Player.

“He’s very good and he’s still young. It’s not easy for him to be the direct leader at 23 or 24 years old, so I hope I can help him to become bigger and bigger.

“He had a very good season and I hope next year he will do even better.

“Off the pitch he is just a great person, a great character, very calm, he knows when he can joke and he knows when to concentrate. A top professional player on the pitch, great passing and just a great player.”