Monday evening, the Swiss Football Association (SFV) and the Swiss Football League (SFL) declared Granit Xhaka and Lia Walti the recipients of their respective Swiss Footballer of the Year accolades for 2023.

Although he is no longer an Arsenal player, Xhaka’s performance with the Gunners in the first half of 2023 contributed to his nomination for the Men’s Player of the Year award.

After performing admirably for the Gunners in 2022/23, the former Arsenal midfielder joined Bayer Leverkusen for the first half of 2023/24 as a member of a formidable squad.

Manuel Akanji of Manchester City and Zeki Amdouni of Burnley were his fellow finalists for the award, which Xhaka defeated to earn a third time; he had previously won it in 2017 and 2022.

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Women’s Player of the Year was awarded to Arsenal Women star Walti, who defeated Ramona Bachmann and Gaelle Thalmann in the competition.

Once again, one of the most outstanding performers on the Arsenal Women’s team has earned a well-deserved victory. This is the second award that Walti has received; he also won in 2021.

“It is lovely,” Xhaka remarked afterward. You are acknowledged for your own performance. However, your own performance is rarely effective in the absence of the coaching personnel and the team.

“I am ecstatic to have defeated them for the second consecutive occasion.

“As I previously stated on stage, Manu and Zeki also had every right to win.” The award demonstrates that appreciation can be expressed without the use of a trophy.

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“I concur with Granit,” continued Walti. “Because of our position in the games, it may be more difficult for us to acquire such trophies.

“Scoring is not necessarily our forte.” We perform the concealed labor, the unsightly labor that is not apparent from the exterior. It is commendable that participants receive such awards as rewards.

“However, we are both aware that a team, be it the national team or the club, is supporting it.” They significantly contribute to our ability to perform as we do.

“I am delighted to have been awarded such a prestigious prize. Additionally, it increases your desire for more, particularly in the club. “That is another of my primary objectives for Arsenal this season.”