Xhaka reveals why he decided to leave Arsenal and discusses Arteta

Granit Xhaka reveals he decided to leave Arsenal to ‘face a new challenge’ but wouldn’t have joined a Premier League rival… as he praises Mikel Arteta’s ‘incredible’ style as a manager

  • Xhaka left Arsenal to return to the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen this year
  • The midfielder has opened up on his reasons for leaving the Premier League  
  • He continued to compare former boss Arteta with Xabi Alonso 

Former Arsenal skipper Granit Xhaka has opened up on his decision to leave the club before heaping praise on his former boss Mikel Arteta. 

The midfielder had a public falling out with the crowd at the Emirates during his time at the club, but came back to become a vital player for Arteta last season.

Speaking to Spanish news outlet Marca, Xhaka revealed the tough decision to leave Arsenal but admitted that he was seeking a new chapter.

He said: ‘I spent seven magnificent years at Arsenal, I didn’t want to play against them. It wasn’t easy for me to leave or for the club to let me go. 

‘I felt love and respect from Edu and Arteta, but I wanted to face a new challenge at Bayer Leverkusen.’

Former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka completed a move to Bayer Leverkusen this summer

He left the Gunners as a fan favourite despite a public falling out with the Emirates crowd prior

Xhaka heaped praise on Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and compared him to Xabi Alonso

The Swiss international continued to discuss his relationship with the Arsenal boss, who he admitted has similarities with Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso.

‘They have a very similar philosophy,’ he siad. ‘Mikel is incredible, not only as a coach, and I think Xabi is on the same line . 

‘They both see football very differently other coaches I’ve had.’

Xhaka will be hoping that he can add to the Bundesliga side’s midfield after arriving this summer.

Alonso’s men finished 6th in a fairly successful season and he will be keen to push on in the Europa League next season.

Arsenal moved quickly to replace the midfielder, securing the services of Declan Rice from West Ham for £105million, as well as former Leverkusen man Kai Havertz. 


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