Arsenal’s new signing Granit Xhaka believes he can bring a mean streak to Arsene Wenger’s side next season.

The Gunners announced yesterday they had agreed a deal to sign the Borussia Moenchengladbach midfielder on a “long-term contract”.

Xhaka, who has 41 caps for Switzerland, captained the German side to fourth place in the Bundesliga last season and says leadership comes naturally to him.

“I’m an aggressive player and also a leader. I’m only 23 but I captained a good team in Germany,” Xhaka said.

“When I was younger, even though I had a big brother, my parents would give me the house key every day. It’s in my head that I am a leader and captaining Moenchengladbach was very good for me.”

Xhaka has experience playing in the Champions League for Gladbach and is renowned for his fitness and tough tackles.

The transfer is still to be officially completed but Arsenal have confirmed Xhaka’s contract will begin on July 1.

The former Basel man will become the Gunners’ first major signing of the summer as Arsene Wenger looks to build a squad capable of challenging for the title.

“Granit Xhaka is an exciting young player, already with good Champions League and Bundesliga experience,” Wenger said.

“We have been watching him for a long time now and he is a player who will add quality to our squad.”

Arsenal were eager to agree the deal before Xhaka joined up with the Switzerland squad for Euro 2016.

He also has experience of winning trophies, having collected two Swiss league titles and the Swiss Cup in 2012 when Basel completed the double.

Xhaka was named the league’s young player of the year that season and was rewarded with a move to Gladbach in 2012.

After sealing his move, Xhaka said he was looking forward to joining “one of the biggest clubs in the world”.