Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka has been hailed for his leadership qualities after leaving Arsenal for a return to Germany over the summer.
Arsenal sold Granit Xhaka over the summer and have arguably struggled to replace him.
The Swiss international came back from the brink at Arsenal as many will remember his spat with supporters back in 2019.
Xhaka ended up becoming a vital player under Mikel Arteta and his exit actually proved to be more heart-wrenching than many could have expected.
Arsenal brought in £21.5million for Xhaka as he joined Bayer Leverkusen, seven years since leaving Borussia Monchengladbach for the Gunners.
Arsenal have missed Xhaka this season and have struggled to settle on a true replacement although Kai Havertz has shown some promising signs this term.
The Gunners are hoping to win the title without Xhaka but he is now hoping to win a league title of his own…
Former Arsenal ace Granit Xhaka praised amid Bayer Leverkusen title charge
Xhaka has taken on a vital role under Xabi Alonso, starting all 19 of Leverkusen’s Bundesliga games and missing less than half an hour of league action across the season.
The 31-year-old has helped Leverkusen claim top spot for most of the season and they remain unbeaten with 15 wins and four draws in 19 games.
Xhaka will be hoping to get Leverkusen over the line and see off Bayern Munich, potentially ending their Bundesliga dominance in the process.
Xhaka has yet to bag a goal or assist this season but he is invaluable to Alonso’s side and has now received praise from team-mate and fellow midfielder Robert Andrich.
Speaking to Kicker, Andrich has hailed the ‘leadership qualities’ Xhaka has brought to Leverkusen this season.
Andrich feels that Xhaka and Jonas Hofmann have brought great experience and leadership in tough moments, but adds that Xhaka has been ‘very important’.
“In addition to his footballing skills, he also has the leadership qualities that he brought to the team,” said Andrich. ”He is one of the transfers that has been very good for the team, regardless of football, just like Jonas Hofmann”
“They have already experienced a lot. They also know how football works. Granit is a very important player,” he added.
There is scope for a dream scenario in the eyes of Arsenal fans; the Gunners winning the Premier League title and Xhaka taking top spot in Germany.
That double celebration is a real possibility and Arsenal fans will certainly cheer Xhaka on to potential glory this season even if he is missed dearly in North London.
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