May 30th 2024.
Granit Xhaka, a player who spent seven successful years with Arsenal, recently shared his feelings about the possibility of facing his former team in the upcoming season's Champions League. Despite being considered a hero at Arsenal, Xhaka confessed that the thought of playing against his old club does not sit well with him.
After a remarkable season with Bayer Leverkusen, where he helped lead the team to an invincible league and cup double, the Swiss captain is set to make his UCL debut after a seven-year absence. Under the guidance of manager Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen only suffered one defeat in 53 games, which occurred in the Europa League final against Atalanta.
Xhaka's contributions were crucial to Leverkusen's success, as he scored in the game that secured the Bundesliga title and also netted the winning goal in the DFB-Pokal. Looking ahead to the next season, Leverkusen will aim to defend their titles while competing against some of Europe's top teams, including Arsenal who qualified for the Champions League as runners-up in the Premier League.
Thanks to the UEFA club coefficient, both Arsenal and Leverkusen have been placed in Pot 2 for the draw. In previous years, this would have meant that they could not face each other until the group stage. However, with the new UCL format for the 2024/25 season, which includes four groups of nine teams, it is possible for teams from the same pot to be drawn together.
Reflecting on his first year at Leverkusen, where he won an invincible league and cup double, Xhaka expressed his reluctance to play against his former teammates. He stated, "If I'm honest, I don't want to play against them. Everyone knows how wonderful my seven years at Arsenal were, but if it happens, I will definitely enjoy it."
In 2016, Xhaka joined Arsenal from Borussia Monchengladbach in a deal worth over £30 million. However, his first few seasons at the club were not his best, and he faced some challenges, including being stripped of the captaincy in 2019 after a clash with fans during a match against Crystal Palace. Many believed his time at Arsenal was coming to an end, but manager Mikel Arteta convinced him to stay.
Under Arteta's guidance, Xhaka became one of the team's most reliable and crucial players, winning over the fans and earning the captaincy once again. By the time of his departure last summer, he had made 297 appearances for Arsenal, winning two FA Cups and two Community Shields.
Despite his departure, Xhaka remains a beloved figure among Arsenal fans, and his recent comments about not wanting to play against his former club only serve to solidify his place in their hearts. As the new season approaches, fans eagerly await the draw to see if Xhaka will face off against his former team.
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