Granit Xhaka, whom Arsenal signed from Borussia Monchengladbach for about £35m in May 2016, spent seven years at Arsenal before returning to the Bundesliga.
Grant Xhaka has congratulated Arsenal on winning the Premier League. The Gunners have been crowned champions of England following Manchester City’s draw to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday night.
Upon the full-time whistle on the south coast, the Sunderland midfielder uploaded a picture of himself and Mikel Arteta from their time together at the Emirates Stadium. Xhaka, who spent seven years at Arsenal, winning two FA Cups and two Community Shields, attributed the title to the Spaniard’s hard work.
On his Instagram story, the Switzerland international said: “A special team, great players, and a club that never stopped believing but this is all because of you, Mikel. To everyone who doubted you, give this man and this coach the respect he deserves. Congratulations to the whole @arsenal family.”
Xhaka was heavily scrutinised during his time in the Premier League, but he ended his rollercoaster spell on a high. In his final season, the Swiss played a key role as Arsenal mounted their first title charge under Arteta.
FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
Despite his best efforts, Xhaka couldn’t quite lead the Gunners to glory, with Manchester City defending their crown as English champions for a third successive year. In an interview with German outlet NZZ am Sonntag , he explained exactly why he chose to join Bayer Leverkusen when he did.
The former Arsenal captain said: “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.
“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 Monchengladbach, where my wife grew up.”
When asked about the difference between Arsenal and Leverkusen, Xhaka replied: “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.”
The 33-year-old spent two years at Leverkusen, helping Xabi Alonso win the Bundesliga unbeaten. Last summer, Xhaka returned to the Premier League, helping Sunderland avoid relegation to the Championship.
