FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Granit Xhaka has claimed that Arsenal did not respect him and that he wanted to get rid of him before his departure from the club.
The Swiss midfielder left the Emirates Stadium to join Bayer Leverkusen in a £21.5million deal in the summer after a seven-year spell in London.
In 297 games for Arsenal, he scored 23 goals and provided 29 assists, winning two FA Cups. He also held the captain's armband for a short period in 2019.
But it now appears his relationship with the club has soured, although he was quick to dismiss coach Mikel Arteta from those he claims wanted him out of the club.
Speaking to The Athletic, he said: “Arsenal showed little respect even though I was captain. It was clear that they wanted to get rid of me - except for one person: Arteta".
Xhaka also revealed the conversation he had with Mikel Arteta in 2019 when he had initially decided to leave the club.
Arsenal fans turned against the midfielder during the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace as they booed their captain.
But with Xhaka on the verge of saying goodbye, Arteta convinced him to stay.
He added: “When I first met him, my bags were already packed and I was about to take the plane. With heart and soul, I had already left the club.
“I told him: 'The solution is for me to leave'. Mikel told me that he wanted me to stay. But I wasn't sure. I remember talking to my father at that time.
“He said to me, 'Ikim'. For the first time, he told me to leave. He said there was no future for me at Arsenal.
“I couldn't imagine myself playing for Arsenal again. I told him (Arteta), 'I just want to be somewhere where the fans don't abuse me'.
“But he was so convincing. For the first time in my life, I made a decision without first talking to my family. I stood up and said, "OK, I'll stay".
“We hugged and from that day I went back to training and it was as if nothing had happened”.
Xhaka joined German side Bayer Leverkusen in this summer's transfer window.
"Aspirina" leads the Bundesliga under the leadership of Cabi Alonso, leading the championship with four points advantage over the reigning champions of Germany, Bayern Munich.
Xhaka has started the 15 games played by Leverkusen so far in the championship.
Lini një Përgjigje