Granit Xhaka’s return to Arsenal didn’t quite go to plan for the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder.
The Gunners faced Xabi Alonso’s side in the first game of this summer’s Emirates Cup and came out as convincing winners. Goals from Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz gave the hosts a 4-1 win.
It was a good test for Arsenal, and they came out flying. Mikel Arteta will be delighted with the display, but Xhaka will not be as happy.
Of course, the result is meaningless in a pre-season friendly, but we’re sure the Swiss international would’ve hoped for a much more positive scoreline than 4-1.
After the game, Arsenal fans were quick to remember Xhaka’s comments saying he went ‘two steps forward’ after leaving the Gunners.
Those comments backfired, and Arsenal fans, in good humour, have made fun of Xhaka on social media.
Arsenal fans troll Granit Xhaka after win over Bayer Leverkusen
Arsenal absolutely dominated Bayer Leverkusen in the Emirates Cup, especially in the first half. The German champions had no answer to the Gunners’ movement in the final third.
Xhaka didn’t have a bad game by any means, but he ended up on the losing side. To make things worse, he inadvertently put the ball in Havertz’s path to help him score Arsenal’s fourth goal.
The midfielder’s comments about going ‘two steps forward’ resurfaced on X during and after the game, and Arsenal fans used those words to make fun of the Leverkusen star.
Along with a picture of the scoreline, one Arsenal fan joked: “Granit Xhaka, are these the two steps forward you were talking about?”
“Xhaka, will you explain what are the two steps,” said another fan.
Another Gooner tweeted: “Two steps ahead Granit Xhaka is three goals behind at HT!”
“Arsenal went TWO STEPS ahead of Xhaka in nine mins. Hehehehe,” joked another Arsenal fan after the Gunners took a 2-0 lead.
READ MORE: Arsenal player ratings v Bayer Leverkusen featuring Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus
Xhaka’s beautiful moment in front of Arsenal fans
All jokes aside, Xhaka deserves a lot of respect.
The Swiss international went through a number of ups and downs during his time at the Emirates. It looked like he would leave as a hated player at one point.
However, Xhaka turned it around under Arteta, and the midfielder received a lot of love on his return to North London on Wednesday.
When Xhaka’s name was announced just before kickoff, Arsenal fans gave him a huge welcome. Then, when he was subbed off in the second half, he received another standing ovation and also a hug from Arteta.
This was a full-circle moment for Xhaka, and it was beautiful to see.
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