Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka played a key role in helping Bayer Leverkusen win the title last season.
Amazon have come out with a documentary on the German club’s title success. The 31-year-old gave an insight on how his transfer from Arsenal took shape. His comments are relayed by Bild.
The midfielder spent seven years at Arsenal before leaving them for Xabi Alonso’s side in July 2023.
Bild claim the player’s father, Ragip Xhaka, has regularly taken part in the negotiations over his future. The Switzerland international has revealed his wife was also involved when he held talks with Bayer Leverkusen.
“My wife was there for the first time at a meeting. I wanted to know how she felt,” he said.
Ragip was also impressed with the discussions with the Bundesliga winners and said to his son; “We have to do it.” This convinced the player to leave Arsenal for Bayer Leverkusen.
“It was pure relief for me. I said: ‘Yes! It’s not just me who feels that way, but the family too’,” Xhaka explained.
The Swiss midfielder was booed by Arsenal fans at the Emirates when he was replaced during the Premier League game against Crystal Palace in October 2019.
He wanted to leave the Gunners in January 2020, less than a month after Mikel Arteta arrived at the north London club. However, the manager ended up convincing him to stay.
“I was lucky enough to be booed in 2019. As captain at Arsenal. In front of 60,000 fans. I say lucky because that made me brutally strong,” Xhaka explained.
“I’m grateful that I got out of there. Because it was a black day for my family, my wife and my parents. I think it was even harder for them than it was for me.”
