“This is now the right and perfect time for me to speak, because i feel Arsenal fans deserve an explanation”- Granit Xhaka finally reveals the hidden truth why he left Arsenal to join Bayer Leverkusen
When Xabi Alonso took over as head coach of Bayer Leverkusen in October last year, the team was in a precarious position, struggling near the relegation zone. Alonso’s appointment marked the beginning of a significant turnaround for the club, culminating in their qualification for European football. With the new season approaching, expectations for the team soared.
The summer transfer window was a period of intense activity for Leverkusen, bringing in high-profile players such as Grimaldo, Jonas Hofmann, and Victor Boniface, which heightened the anticipation among the fans. However, the most notable acquisition was Granit Xhaka, the former Arsenal captain. Xhaka, known for his polarizing time in London, was deemed a critical addition to Alonso’s tactical setup. This decision has proven to be beneficial, as Xhaka has delivered some of the finest performances of his career, driving Leverkusen towards a potential title contention. Xhaka’s leadership and experience have been invaluable to the team, although he modestly downplays his role:
“What does boss mean? The word is a bit big. I didn’t come to Leverkusen as a boss, but because I was looking for a new challenge. I felt like my time at Arsenal was over for me after seven years in London. I came here as an experienced player and person. The other players see that I can give them something of what I have learned. That’s part of my role here,” Xhaka shared with NZZ am Sonntag.
Discussing his decision to leave Arsenal for Leverkusen, Xhaka stated, “It was sometimes written that I was coming back to Germany because of my wife. That’s not the truth. Like me, she was very happy in London. I made the decision solely as a footballer and athlete. I came to a top club in Germany that has a plan and wants to achieve something. Of course, the change was easier for us because, like me, we used to live in Düsseldorf and it is close to Mönchengladbach, where my wife grew up.”
Xhaka also highlighted the differences between playing for Arsenal and Leverkusen: “You can only see what it’s really like if you can train here every day and be there. You can work in peace at Bayer Leverkusen, there is no chaos, other clubs are more in focus. This is an advantage. At Arsenal, the pressure is different. But we have high ambitions because we know that we have enormous potential in the team. If we keep working like this and keep our feet on the ground, we can achieve something.”
Xhaka’s focus is now firmly on football, and he spoke about the contrast between playing against Alonso and being coached by him: “He was extremely unpleasant. Thanks to his cleverness, his pass security, and his timing, you never even had to press against him. That’s what he conveys to us today. I have the feeling that I have taken another step forward in this regard in the two months here in Leverkusen. He tells us in small details what turns a good midfielder into a top midfielder.”
With Alonso effectively utilizing his squad’s potential and Xhaka excelling in his role, Leverkusen is set for a promising season. As of matchday six, they are at the top of the Bundesliga table and show no signs of slowing down.