Xabi Alonso was glowing in his praise of the ‘warrior’ Granit Xhaka after the former Arsenal captain battled through the pain during Saturday’s stunning 3-0 victory over Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.
As the battle-scarred midfield veteran gripped his thigh with a face contorted into a grimace, ten minutes before half-time, you could almost hear the sharp intake of breath from the Leverkusen supporters all the way back in London, in Granit Xhaka’s former Emirates Stadium home.
Xhaka is not only Leverkusen’s leader, after all, but also Alonso’s favoured foot-soldier, almost operating as a coach on the pitch at times. Directing, dictating, driving.
There was a considerable sigh of relief then, not only on the terraces but in the dugout too, as Xhaka hobbled on and battled through the next 60 minutes, the £21 million summer signing from Arsenal the formidable force behind Leverkusen’s most stunning victory yet.
Granit Xhaka dreaming of Bundesliga glory with Leverkusen
“He is a fighter. A warrior,” an awe-struck Alonso tells Kicker. “He wanted to stay on the pitch.
“(Xhaka) has a big heart, and he showed great leadership qualities. He played very intensely, very disciplined, very focused, (and) always coordinated the connection between our players.
“You need a midfielder like that in these moments – and Granit is there.”
Xhaka never won a Premier League title with Arsenal despite coming within touching distance in 2022/23. He could go one step further at the Bay Arena, however, Leverkusen moving five points clear of Bayern following Saturday’s pummelling of the reigning champions.
They remain unbeaten across all competitions too, arguably the most front-foot, free-flowing side in European football threatening to become Germany’s answer to those Arsenal ‘Invincibles’ of 2004.
‘The heart of the team’
Xhaka has started all 21 of Leverkusen’s Bundesliga games so far since joining, completing the full 90 minutes in all but three of those.
Former Germany international Dietmar Hamann, meanwhile, is keen to ensure that Xhaka is praised not only for his attitude but for his often-underrated technical ability too.
“What is often overlooked is his technical quality,” the ex-Liverpool ace tells Sky Germany, drawing comparisons between Xhaka and Alonso in his own storied playing days.
“He doesn’t get enough attention for his passing game. (Xhaka is) the heart of the team.”
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