Mikel Arteta: We’re saying goodbye to fantastic player in Granit Xhaka

Granit Xhaka has joined Bayer Leverkusen for £21.4 million. The midfielder, who won two FA Cups during his six years at Arsenal, has signed a five-year deal with the Bundesliga side, ending his turbulent time at the Emirates.

Last season, Xhaka was reinvigorated under Mikel Arteta and enjoyed his best season in an Arsenal shirt, scoring seven times in 37 Premier League appearances. But it was not all plain sailing for the Switzerland player, who reacted angrily to his own supporters when being booed off during a game against Crystal Palace in 2019 and was stripped of the captaincy.

Arteta had to persuade him to stay at the club but was quick to acknowledge 30-year-old’s contribution to his side on Thursday.

“We are saying goodbye