Arsenal thrashed Bayer Leverkusen 4-1 in the Emirates Cup in a superb performance, and there was plenty of focus on the opposition as well.
Arsenal and Leverkusen have had several shared connections over the years, and Kai Havertz scored and provided two assists against his former club.
Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso also came up against each other as managers for the first time, whilst Granit Xhaka reunited with his old teammates as he played against Arsenal after departing North London last year.
Xhaka was given a positive reception on his return, with fans loudly cheering and applauding him, with the midfielder a popular figure by the time he left.
The Arsenal squad embraced him on the pitch at full time, and Xhaka has now sent a message to the fans after what was a significant day for him despite being on the losing side.
Stars respond as Granit Xhaka sends message to Arsenal fans
On his Instagram account, Xhaka wished Arsenal luck ahead of the next season, after his emotional comeback to the Emirates.
“Arsenal fans, thanks for the warm welcome. All the best for this season,” he posted.
Several Arsenal players responded in the comments, with Gabriel Magalhaes, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Martinelli leaving heart emojis in the replies.
Granit Xhaka’s Emirates Cup return
Xhaka and his team were overrun by Arsenal, with Arteta’s side racing into a two-goal lead after strikes from Zinchenko and Leandro Trossard.
Gabriel Jesus and Havertz added goals before Adam Hlozek pulled one back in the second half.
Havertz was particularly impressive in midfield, and perhaps the performance justified his signing initially as a replacement for Xhaka, before moving upfront.
Xhaka himself was far from his best, but his whole team were clearly behind Arsenal in terms of their pre-season preparations, as the Premier League kicks off earlier than the Bundesliga.
Arsenal will face Lyon on Sunday, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles will follow Xhaka in returning for the Emirates Cup.
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