Former Arsenal star Granit Xhaka is flying at the top of the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, and his side recently beat Bayern Munich.
Leverkusen are now five points clear at the top of the German top-flight, and Xabi Alonso’s side took the initiative in the title race as Xhaka helped his side to a 3-0 win in Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash with the Champions.
Bayern Munich are far from their best right now despite the summer signing of Harry Kane, and their misery was compounded as another ex-Arsenal midfielder in Matteo Guendouzi put them to the sword in the Champions League, as Serie A side Lazio won 1-0 in the first leg of their last-16 knockout tie.
Matteo Guendouzi delivers masterclass in Champions League
Bayern Munich struggled at the Stadio Olimpico, and failed to register a single shot on target, and fell behind as Ciro Immobile struck a second-half penalty.
Guendouzi was running the midfield, and won an astonishing six of his seven attempted ground duels, as Bayern’s pivot of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka could get nowhere near the Frenchman.
The 24-year-old also won both of his attempted tackles, and made six passes into the final third. His energy in the middle of the park was crucial to his side’s victory, and he was even named as the Champions League player of the match, in what was a “tireless” display.
Matteo Guendouzi is now flourishing
Guendouzi arrived at Arsenal as a teenager under Unai Emery, and whilst he did show flashes of talent, his attitude and temperament at the time stopped him from succeeding.
A fallout with Mikel Arteta saw him exiled from the squad before moving to Marseille on loan, where he was outstanding in the 2021-22 season.
This led to a £9m permanent move, but the France International is now worth a lot more than that. He joined Lazio in the summer, and is now performing to a very high level against top opposition.
It is a shame that his time at Arsenal never worked out, and he seems to have developed more maturity since his time at the Emirates.
At 24, he would fit into the age profile of this young Arsenal side, and could have been a useful option in a number eight midfield role.
His failure to succeed at Arsenal was down to his attitude, but the talent was always there, and he is now shining elsewhere.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
