Arsenal bid farewell to one of their longest-serving players in the summer, as Granit Xhaka departed for Bayer Leverkusen seven years after his arrival in North London.
It was a roller-coaster few years for Xhaka, who found himself on the verge of an ugly exit in 2019 before Mikel Arteta’s arrival revitalised him, and by the end of last season, he was one of the most popular players at the club.
His desire to move on after Arsenal qualified for the Champions League for the first time since his first season at the club came as something of a surprise, but he has now revealed the reasons behind his exit.
Xhaka’s reason for leaving Arsenal
Speaking to German outlet NZZ, Xhaka revealed that rumours which previously circulated about his wife driving the move in order to return to Germany were false, and he joined Xabi Alonso’s side for sporting reasons.
“I didn’t come to Leverkusen as a boss, but because I was looking for a new challenge. I felt like my time at Arsenal was over for me after seven years in London,” he stated.
“I came here as an experienced player and person. The other players see that I can give them something of what I have learned. That’s part of my role here.
“It was sometimes written that I was coming back to Germany because of my wife. That’s not the truth. Like me, she was very happy in London. I made the decision solely as a footballer and athlete. I came to a top club in Germany that has a plan and wants to achieve something.
“You can only see what it’s really like if you can train here every day and be there. You can work in peace at Bayer Leverkusen, there is no chaos, other clubs are more in focus. This is an advantage.
“At Arsenal the pressure is different. But we have high ambitions because we know that we have enormous potential in the team. If we keep working like this and keep our feet on the ground, we can achieve something.”
Xhaka’s notable absence
Despite an unbeaten start to the season, Arsenal are missing Xhaka in the middle of the park, and his absence from the midfield is noticeable.
Kai Havertz’s disappointing start has not helped, and Arsenal have lost some of their fluidity from last season. Xhaka’s link-up play with Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus helped both forwards thrive, whilst he also provided creativity and end-product, notching up 14 goal and assist contributions last season.
Arsenal will eventually find their rhythm, but it was always going to be the case that losing someone with such an authoritative presence both on and off the pitch would take some adjustment initially.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
