Due to Granit Xhaka’s ‘obvious desire’ to join Bayer Leverkusen, Mikel Arteta claims the midfielder’s departure from Arsenal was amicable
The Swiss international had previously experienced a love-hate relationship with the club’s supporters, but the 2022–23 season was perhaps his best with the Gunners.
In the Premier League last season, Xhaka helped his team to a second-place finish and a return to the Champions League with seven goals and seven assists, but in May, he withdrew out of contract negotiations, giving a strong indication that his time in north London was up. The 30-year-old admitted that after joining Bayer Leverkusen, he was impressed with the club’s long-term plans under manager Xabi Alonso and sporting director Simon Rolfes. Now, Arteta has confirmed that assertion.
There are three components to this, Arteta stated following Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Nurnberg in their opening preseason game of the summer. He was adamant that moving there was the correct decision for him personally at the appropriate moment and a huge opportunity.
We had that discussion, and at the conclusion we all agreed that it was the proper course to take. Xhaka joins a Leverkusen team that rose from as low as 12th at the beginning of 2023 to finish sixth and qualify for the Europa League in April and May.
During his seven-season stint at the Emirates, the former Borussia Monchengladbach player won two FA Cups with Arsenal while tallying 23 goals in 297 games. The move of defender Jurrien Timber from West Ham has significantly lessened the impact of his departure. In late June, the Gunners made Kai Havertz their first summer acquisition.
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