Julio Arca has praised Granit Xhaka’s influence after Sunderland’s remarkable Premier League season.

Julio Arca believes Granit Xhaka has brought calm, control and authority to Sunderland’s midfield after admitting the Swiss international has proved age is no barrier at Premier League level.

Xhaka’s arrival at the Stadium of Light was one of the statement moves of Sunderland’s summer transfer window and the former Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder has gone on to become one of the defining figures in the Black Cats’ historic campaign. The 33-year-old brought vast experience, leadership and technical quality to Régis Le Bris’ side as Sunderland secured a remarkable seventh-placed finish and qualified for the Europa League. Arca, who was speaking on the Disco Pants Podcast in association with LiveScore, admitted he understood why Xhaka’s arrival surprised some people at the time, but believes his impact has been clear.

Asked what he made of the signing and whether he was shocked Sunderland were able to attract him, Arca said: “Well, I think obviously having an international manager sometimes can attract international players. Obviously, I don't know if the manager knew him or how they made that contact. But people will say, no, well, he's a bit old. I mean, 31, 32, now he's not old.

The Echo has launched a new WhatsApp SAFC Channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates direct to your phone. Simply click this link to join our SAFC WhatsApp channel.

“Players play longer now. If we're going back 20 years ago, yes, 32, 33, players retired at 35, now players retire at 40, 41, some of them. And we look at Xhaka's physique, the way he plays, the way he looks after himself, he looks younger than 32. And he's clever as well. He doesn't have to run everywhere. He knows when to run, where to be.”

Xhaka’s role has been central to Sunderland’s ability to manage games at Premier League level. While others have provided energy, pace and attacking threat, his presence has helped give the Black Cats structure and balance in midfield.

Match-day action, exclusive analysis team news and much more when you sign up for our SAFC newsletter - it’s free to join

For Arca, that simplicity is part of the point. Xhaka does not need to overcomplicate the game. His timing, positioning and passing have given Sunderland the sort of midfield control that newly promoted sides often struggle to find. It has also allowed players such as Noah Sadiki to play with greater freedom around him, giving Le Bris’ side a blend of experience and athleticism in the middle of the pitch.

Xhaka’s signing looked ambitious at the time. After a season that ended with Sunderland in Europe, it now looks like one of the most important pieces of business in the club’s modern history. “And the good thing is to give you that peace and calm in the midfield and play simple football,” Arca added. “You don't have to be complicated, like doing step overs and this and that.”

“You should get the ball, pass it through the lines, pass it to the defenders. And it's good to have that kind of order in the middle, you know, when you play alongside him, you know he's going to do the right work. And then obviously, you've got the other lads like Sadiki and other midfielders that can go up and down and try to reach the box.”