Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka is now drawing on lessons learned in his time at the Emirates Stadium whilst plying his trade for Bayer Leverkusen.
Granit Xhaka was a key figure in the Arsenal team that mounted an unexpected title challenge last season.
The Swiss star produced his best season in red and white in what turned out to be his final campaign on the books with the north London club. After an up-and-down Arsenal career up until that point, Mikel Arteta changed Xhaka’s tactical role in the team last season. Pushed higher up the pitch, the midfielder found a new lease of life. He was able to chip in with nine goals and seven assists, and become an unlikely fan-favourite at the Emirates Stadium.
Despite having moved on, Xhaka clearly still holds a place for Arsenal in his heart. Xhaka has also spoken positively about Arteta.
The 31-year-old is now excelling in the Bundesliga. He is a crucial figure in Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen side who look on course win the league title in Germany. Bayer Leverkusen are currently ahead of Bayern Munich, ten points clear at the top of the table, with just ten matches left to play. Bayer Leverkusen are yet to lose a game in the Bundesliga this season.
However, Xhaka is not taking it for granted that he and his Bayer Leverkusen teammates will be crowned champions come the end of the campaign. After all, he was the part of the Arsenal team that last season looked set to win the Premier League, before they slipped-up in the run-in and were pipped to the post by Manchester City.
Granit Xhaka recalls experience of missing out on title with Arsenal
Speaking to journalist Archie Rhind-Tutt, and reflecting on these experiences at Arsenal, Xhaka explained how he was using those memories to motivate his Bayer Leverkusen teammates. The 121-cap Switzerland international said, “it’s good, and we can be proud of it, but nothing is won yet. I’m speaking about my own experiences that I had last season…we didn’t win the league. I know the experience. This is what I share in the dressing room as well…they are asking me, day by day, ‘you’ve been in this situation as well, how was it? What happened?’ I try to explain to them but you can’t explain with words, you have to feel it.”
Plenty of Arsenal fans will be hoping that Xhaka is able to get over the line with Bayer Leverkusen this season, and likewise, the player will want to see the Gunners win the Premier League title this time around.
For the second season in a row, Arsenal now find themselves in the midst of a title race. Gary Neville has now told Arsenal what they need to do to become champions.
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