Switzerland’s talented midfielder, Granit Xhaka, has made a significant move from Arsenal to Bayer Leverkusen, as announced by the German club on Thursday. This transfer comes as Xhaka’s contract with Arsenal was nearing its end, and the Gunners were actively pursuing a potential acquisition of England international Declan Rice.
The sporting director of Bayer Leverkusen, Simon Rolfes, expressed his excitement about signing Xhaka, stating, “In Granit, we have managed to secure the services of an exceptional player.” This move sees Xhaka return to the Bundesliga in a reported €25 million ($27.2 million) deal, following his successful seven-year tenure with Arsenal, during which he won the FA Cup twice but also faced the unfortunate event of being stripped of the club captaincy.
During his time with the Gunners, Xhaka made 297 appearances and scored 23 goals. One memorable performance was on the final day of the season when he scored twice in a 5-0 victory over Wolves, helping Arsenal secure a second-place finish in the Premier League. Xhaka’s departure from Arsenal was met with warm farewells from the fans, highlighting the remarkable transformation he underwent after a well-publicized incident in 2019 when he reacted negatively to the crowd during a match against Crystal Palace.
Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, expressed his gratitude for Xhaka’s contributions, saying, “We are bidding farewell to an exceptional player and an individual who was loved by all of us. Our journey together has been incredible, and he has given his all for this club.”
Xhaka, who began his career with Basel, his hometown club, previously played in the Bundesliga with Borussia Mönchengladbach from 2012 to 2016. Reflecting on his return to Germany, Xhaka remarked, “I am familiar with the league and followed it even while in London. Bayer 04 is a club with an impressive history and ambitious goals.”
Xhaka’s tenure at Arsenal has been filled with notable ups and downs, making it a captivating story worthy of its own documentary. From triumphs in the FA Cup to the infamous incident against Crystal Palace, Xhaka’s journey encapsulates the turbulent fortunes of Arsenal in recent years.
Despite facing criticism and doubts about his future at the club, Xhaka experienced a remarkable turnaround under the guidance of Mikel Arteta. This season, he excelled in an advanced midfield role, contributing seven goals and seven assists, marking it as his most productive period during his time at Arsenal. The decision to invest heavily in Xhaka, only to sell him now, raises questions about Arsenal’s midfield plans.
One potential candidate to fill the void left by Xhaka is Emile Smith Rowe, a talented young player who has faced limited playing time this season due to injuries and competition within the squad. It is understood that Smith Rowe has been training to play as a central midfielder, which could provide him with an opportunity to step into the vacant role.
While it is evident that Xhaka’s departure from Arsenal after seven years is necessary, there is no doubt that he will find success at Bayer Leverkusen.
