Granit Xhaka has revealed how is not getting excited about Bayer Leverkusen’s title chances this season, after being stung with Arsenal last season.
That’s according to Kicker, who cover the player’s comments today as Leverkusen continue to surge towards the Bundesliga crown.
Leverkusen saw off Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 at home on Sunday to take them to 12 wins in 15 league games this season and 39 points, four ahead of Bayern Munich in second and seven more than RB Leipzig in third.
They are very much one of the inform teams in Europe at this moment in time and, with no defeats in the league so far, undoubtedly title challengers.
It means there is growing excitement around the club and potential rise of a new challenger to a league that has often been dominated by one side.
That’s something Xhaka is more than aware of, having experienced the same with Arsenal last season when they challenged Manchester City’s stranglehold on the Premier League with a superb campaign few had seen coming.
Their efforts ultimately failed as key injuries at the end of the campaign robbed Mikel Arteta’s men and saw them struggle in the key run in, opening the door for City to ultimately defend their title.
That was a ‘bitter experience’ to say the least, and one Xhaka has learned from as he now competes for the title in Germany.
“We can be really proud of ourselves, the way we’re playing,” he said.
“It’s obviously difficult to stop us at the moment because we’re doing really well. I didn’t come here to lose games either, but to win.
“In football, things can change from one day to the next. (At Arsenal) We played well not only in the first half of the season, but also in the second half of the season – except for the last eight games, in which we unfortunately lost the title.
“That’s why I’m speaking from my own experience. I know what it feels like to be up there and not win in the end. You also need a bit of luck in the end.”
“We won’t have that arrogance (thinking they’re invincible). Every opponent has their strengths and weaknesses – so do we.”
