Former Arsenal star Granit Xhaka became a popular player by the time he departed in 2023, but some fans are perplexed by some recent comments he made.
Xhaka was a divisive figure for most of his time at the Emirates, but flourished in his final season as he moved to a more advanced midfield role.
By the time he left, fans did not want to see him leave, as he completed a dramatic turnaround in perception under Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal sold Xhaka to Bayer Leverkusen, and he has since had a stunning year, helping lead them to a shock Bundesliga title, scoring the winner in the DFB-Pokal final and reaching the final of the Europa League, whilst also impressing at Euro 2024.
However, ahead of his return to the Emirates as Arsenal face Leverkusen in a pre-season friendly next week, Xhaka was asked about his exit, and some fans were annoyed at his answer, with some expressing their annoyance on X.
“Granit Xhaka just went from hero to zero among Arsenal fans, he earned it, no mercy,” one fan posted.
Granit Xhaka says leaving Arsenal was a step forward in his career
Speaking in an interview with German outlet BILD, Xhaka was asked about his Arsenal exit, and whether he felt departing Arteta’s title-challenging side felt like a step back in his career.
“It was not a step backwards for me, but rather two forward,” he stated.
“Because I had exactly the feeling, during talks with the trainer (Xabi Alonso) and with Simon Rolfes, that something special can be created here for the next few years,”
Xhaka and Xabi Alonso appeared to be a match made in heaven, as he hit an outstanding level of form as his side completed a campaign which will go down as an all-time great accomplishment in the footballing history books.
Granit Xhaka is right about his exit, he has not insulted Arsenal
Some fans may believe that his comments, specifically the part about leaving Arsenal being “two steps forward” are somewhat insulting to the club, but the reality is that he did advance his career.
Despite his incredible leadership qualities, and his excellent performances in midfield, Xhaka was far from the main man at Arsenal. Martin Odegaard wore his old captain’s armband, and Declan Rice joined for a club record fee.
Xhaka would have seen his standing at Arsenal naturally decline, whereas at Leverkusen he was offered a five-year contract, and is one of his side’s key performers alongside German sensation Florian Wirtz.
The midfielder has spoken glowingly about Arsenal and Arteta since his departure, and it is clear that he has a lot of respect for the club he nearly departed on bad terms in 2020.
Arsenal also went up a level with Rice in midfield, but still fell just short of the title. Whilst they have missed Xhaka’s presence, his departure and subsequent achievements show that he made the right decision to join Alonso’s side, and this is no insult to Arsenal.
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