Granit Xhaka has paid a heartfelt tribute to his former club Arsenal following their Premier League title triumph. The Gunners secured the championship after Manchester City's goalless draw with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday evening.
As the final whistle blew on the south coast, the Sunderland midfielder posted an image of himself alongside Mikel Arteta from their time together at the Emirates Stadium. Xhaka, who spent seven years at Arsenal and won two FA Cups and two Community Shields, attributed the success to Arteta's unwavering commitment.
On his Instagram story, the Switzerland international wrote: "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 faced criticism during his Premier League stint but left on a high. In his final season, he was instrumental in Arsenal's first genuine title challenge under Arteta, though they fell short as Manchester City won a third consecutive crown.
Reflecting on his departure to Bayer Leverkusen, Xhaka told German publication NZZ am Sonntag: "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." He dismissed claims that his wife influenced the move, insisting it was purely a football decision.
Comparing Arsenal and Leverkusen, Xhaka noted: "You can work in peace at Bayer Leverkusen, there is no chaos... At Arsenal, the pressure is different." He spent two years at Leverkusen, playing a key role in their unbeaten Bundesliga campaign under Xabi Alonso, before returning to English football with Sunderland last summer, helping them avoid relegation.
