Granit Xhaka has spoken about his move from Arsenal to Bayer Leverkusen after he won the league and German Cup last season.
The midfielder was a key player for Arsenal in the 2022/2023 season as they nearly won the Premier League.
However, at the end of that campaign, he surprisingly accepted a move to Leverkusen after Arsenal added Declan Rice to their squad.
The Gunners also signed Kai Havertz, who was expected to replace the Swiss midfielder, and they challenged for the title again.
Arsenal did not win the league this time, and some believed that they could have been champions if Xhaka had stayed with them for one more season.
Xhaka had a successful first season in Germany, winning the German double and losing just one game all season, none domestically.
When he left, it was widely considered that he had downgraded, but he has responded to that suggestion, saying, as quoted by Bild:
“The move from Arsenal to Leverkusen was not a step back, but rather two steps forward.” The Swiss international then added: “I had exactly the feeling, during conversations with the coach and with Simon Rolfes, that something special can arise here in the next few years.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Arsenal remains at the top even after we lost Xhaka, but we probably could have achieved more if he had stayed.
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Great to see the success Xhaka is having on the pitch and being happy in Germany. A very driven and intelligent player.
JA’s comments do not address whether it was a good move for Xhaka or not.
Personally, I was really disappointed he left especially after silencing the boo boys.
After he had proved the point, he needed a new challenge.
What a move it was as well!!
Not sure if it was quite two steps forward, but he seems such a happy person these days.
Looking forward to seeing what kind of reception he gets at the Emirates, but if he had stayed, we wouldn’t be looking for a midfielder to play alongside Rice…. in my opinion.
I hope he gets the reception he deserves when he returns to the Emirates next week. I don’t know how sorry I was to see him go as time does not stand still, but I am pleased for him that he has achieved such success in Germany
Clearly, he’s right. He has winners’ medals there.
Unfortunately, as we know no player who joined Arsenal after their 2019-20 FA Cup win yet has those medals either.