Arsenal star Granit Xhaka has broken his silence over a potential exit from the north London outfit this summer, having been linked with a move to Bayer Leverkusen. The Switzerland international has achieved his most productive season with the Gunners to date, with his more advanced role in Mikel Arteta's system allowing him to manage his best goal involvement return.
While there have been plenty of rocky years along the way, the 30-year-old has come full circle to being a cult hero at the club once again. However, an exit could spell a bitter sweet ending to the story, with the atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium during the Wolves clash showing their appreciation to the midfielder.
"Well deserved. He’s had an incredible season," Arteta said in the post-Wolves press conference on the appreciation shown to Xhaka. !I think one year back I spoke to him and I told him ‘there’s a question mark on you, you have to deliver more, you have to be better, I’m going to challenge you to play here.’
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"He went back and I think he started to train the next day. He came back in preseason four kilos less, fit, with this face *screws his face to show focus* and really willing to do it. He’s been exceptional. He’s been a key part of the team, the success of the team and I’m so happy everybody is appreciating what he’s done."
Recent links with a move to Bayer Leverkusen have only grown stronger over a supposed exit and the supporters and Xhaka appeared to share a moment of farewell. The midfielder also broke his silence over a switch, clearly hinting at the transfer going ahead in the coming weeks.
Asked by AFTV contributor Pippa Monique on her YouTube channel if he is leaving this summer, Xhaka replied: "You will see next week what happens." Reports had claimed that a move was being pushed by his wife, Leonita Lekaj, but he refuted those claims, adding: "It’s not about the missus."
It remains to be seen when this deal will be concluded, but it marks an end of an era as the Gunners begin their tough transfer decisions that they hope will take them forward to the next step of their journey.
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