My wife had nothing to do with it — Granit Xhaka

In a recent statement, Granit Xhaka, the Swiss international midfielder, has refuted rumors suggesting that his wife played a significant role in his departure from Arsenal to join Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

The 30-year-old midfielder bid farewell to the Emirates Stadium after accumulating close to 300 appearances for the Gunners, securing a move to the Bundesliga outfit led by former Liverpool maestro, Xabi Alonso, in a £21.5 million transfer deal.

Xhaka’s seven-year tenure in North London was marked by controversy, but it concluded on a more positive note as he sealed his move to Leverkusen. Known for his aggressive playing style and occasional disciplinary issues, the midfielder received five red cards during his time at Arsenal.

His relationship with the Arsenal faithful reached a low point in 2019 when, after being substituted amidst boos in a draw with Crystal Palace, he appeared to direct an offensive gesture towards the fans.

However, during his final season under the guidance of manager Mikel Arteta, Xhaka seemed to flourish in a more advanced role on the pitch, contributing to Arsenal’s strong title challenge, which came close to ending their long Premier League drought.

Upon leaving Arsenal, Granit Xhaka departed with a degree of redemption in the eyes of Gunners fans. Yet, recent speculation has surfaced, linking his wife Leonita, with whom he shares two daughters, to his move back to Germany, as reported by Sport Bild.

In response to these claims, Xhaka vehemently denied them during an interview with Keystone-SDA.

He stated,

“There was speculation everywhere that my wife was no longer happy in England. That is not at all true.” He continued, “The fact is that as a person, I am always interested in new challenges. After seven years, the time has come for something completely new. The league is not new, but the club is.”

Xhaka further explained that during his discussions with Leverkusen’s sporting director, Simon Rolfes, and manager Xabi Alonso, he sensed that the long-term project at the club was aligned with his aspirations. This conviction led him to make the decision to join Bayer Leverkusen, marking a fresh chapter in his career.

Addressing his departure from Arsenal, Xhaka emphasized that his respect for former boss Mikel Arteta remains unwavering.

He stated,

“[He’s] a coach who understands an incredible amount of football, someone who sees football with completely different eyes. I had a great relationship with him. Thanks in part to him, we achieved what was missing for years: the Champions League.”

As Xhaka settles into his new environment, he looks forward to embracing the challenges that lie ahead, eager to contribute to Bayer Leverkusen’s continued success in the Bundesliga and beyond.