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Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka received a standing ovation from the Gunners faithful at the Emirates Stadium with his Bayer Leverkusen side. The German champions visited London for a pre-season friendly against the Gunners on August 7 as both sides round up preparations for the new season.
Xhaka featured from the start against his former side before he was withdrawn for Gustavo Puerta in the 80th minute of the game. The Arsenal fans showed their appreciation to the Swiss midfielder by giving him a standing ovation as he left the pitch. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta also shared a hug with the midfielder as he made his way to the away bench.
Granit Xhaka did not always have the best of times at the Emirates Stadium, clashing with the club's fans in 2019 despite being captain. He was a divisive figure among the fanbase and was set to leave the club when Arteta arrived in 2020 and changed his mind.
Xhaka left Arsenal at the end of the 2022-23 season to pitch his tent with Xabi Alonso and his Bayer Leverkusen team in Germany. The experienced midfielder proved to be exactly what the German side needed in midfield as his influence helped them win the Bundlesliga unbeaten. He appeared in 33 league matches in the 2023-24 season, scoring three times from midfield.
Granit Xhaka decided against continuing at the Emirates as he felt the time had come for a new adventure, and he got to enjoy his new club in his debut season. Xabi Alonso's side were one game away from winning three trophies, the Bundlesliga, DFB Pokal and UEFA Europa League, in the 2023-24 season. They ended up winning the first two but lost to Atalanta in the final of the Europa League.
Arsenal trounce Bayer Leverkusen in penultimate pre-season friendly
Arsenal thrashed German champions Bayer Leverkusen 4-1 to further send a message to England and the rest of Europe. The Gunners were in control from start to finish as they comfortably claimed the win in front of their fans.
The Arsenal fans did not have to wait long for the opener in the friendly as Oleksandr Zinchenko scored after just eight minutes. Less than a minute later, the Gunners had the ball in the back of the net again, this time through Leandro Trossard.
Gabriel Jesus added a third in the 38th minute before Kai Havertz scored against his former side after 65 minutes to make it four. Bayer Leverkusen pulled one back in the 76th minute, with Czech striker Adam Hlozek coming off the bench to score.
Arsenal will next face Olympique Lyonnais in the Emirates Cup on August 11 in what will be their final pre-season test. They begin the Premier League season against Wolves on August 17 at the Emirates.
