The biggest compliment I can give Granit Xhaka is that he leaves with best wishes from most Gooners, while others will regret his exit.
That wouldn’t have been the case back in October 2019.
At that point we certainly wouldn’t have been able to get a fee for him over 20 million, not with only 12 months left on his contract.
After throwing down the captain’s armband and cupping his ears to the crowd in response to them cheering his substitution followed by jeers, the assumption was he would never play for Arsenal again. Unai Emery made it clear that would be the case unless his skipper made a public apology.
While there was a statement from the midfielder it was to give an explanation, not to say sorry.
He gave an insight into the level of abuse he and his family were receiving on a daily basis.
These included wishes for his baby to die and his wife to catch cancer.
Videos emerged of him stopping outside the Emirates to take photos and sign autographs, only to be sworn at.
No, he wasn’t going to say sorry to those sick people, and I admired him for his stance.
I respected a young man having his convictions and sticking to them no matter the consequences.
When his employers wouldn’t support him, he was willing to die on his sword.
The irony being that the very same fans who didn’t agree with the players moral compass loved what Mikel Arteta said on his first day as a manager.
The Spaniard said he sensed the relationship between the team and supporters needing fixing. He had non-negotiable principles and wouldn’t tolerate anyone who wouldn’t follow his ethos.
That might he why one of his first missions was to talk the Swiss captain into staying.
Arteta might have been impressed by having someone in his dressing room who had the character to have his own mind and not be swayed, no matter how big the pressure internally?
While a PR nightmare for a player to call out the customers behaviour, his boss might secretly have valued the character it took to stand up for his beliefs beyond reproach?
I was ashamed so called ‘fans’ treated one of their own this way just because they needed a scapegoat.
Bear in mind, the likes of BFG, Mustafi and Giroud have spoken about how treatment from their own fans impacted them.
It’s an embarrassment that rival fans could view us this way, because for so long the spirit in our team’s was our plus point.
Looking back – if Arteta hadn’t talked Xhaka out of leaving at that time, it would have been a dark day in our history.
Player leaves due to abuse made towards him and his wife and child …… imagine the world media reading that about Arsenal. By staying, he looked his bully in the eye, stood up to them and they went away like the cowards they are, showing they were the ones with problems…
Because let’s face it, if your response to losing at sport is to make threats behind a keyboard then you have issues!
What will you do when you have to face real adversity?
In many ways that’s his legacy.
Not his leadership qualities, Amazon’s All or Nothing series showing him the armband was just a prop, he didn’t need to wear anything to stop him being one of the most vocal members of our dressing room.
It won’t even be how his manager tactically made him into a box-to-box midfielder, capable of timing his runs into the box.
His legacy will be that he forced a section of our fanbase to look in the mirror.
A generation had been brought up thinking support was measured on how loud you shouted and how many swear words you could manage.
In an era where our mental strength was questioned, Xhaka was one of the few players to call out fans and question their morality.
His story was proof of what Mr Wenger had warned was in danger of happening, certain fans risking the proud values Arsenal were famous for.
It takes bravery to take a stand against a fanbase at a time where fan channels have become a form of football media.
Xhaka proudly represented the badge without the need to be loved, at times accepting he wasn’t popular.
It’s not the image sponsors or advertiser’s want to paint. The likes of Adidas want to sell the concept of everyone who wears their merchandise being part of the family, players role models who were relatable.
Xhaka was educated enough to separate what he did for a living and the fact he earns a healthy living.
He treated adults like adults and simply questioned whether a grown man or women should be acting in a certain matter based on the outcome of sport?
Should what happens in a game, the whole point being fun and escapism, lead to threats towards his family?
No matter the mistakes, the red cards …. did that warrant the abuse he faced?
He never demanded an apology, in the same way he wasn’t going to change his point of view.
So, while the likes of AFTV screamed expletives, he acted with dignity, never changing his personality, never conforming, confident that class would come out on top.
The irony being that as he earnt the respect of an ever-growing part of the Emirates faithful, the same YouTubers who demanded his apology for throwing an armband to the floor, pleaded for second chances when they were guilty of racial abuse and being jailed for kidnap.
Some on social media have had to review their presentation…. Xhaka hasn’t.
By all accounts Xhaka gets a long-term contract in Germany that wasn’t on the table in England.
It would be hard with a straight face to preach loyalty, given how some fans tried to bully him out of North London.
It’s fitting that he moves to Bayer Leverkusen on his own terms.
He leaves missed by many. Even as a squad player, he would have been a great option to have.
Already a young team who found the pressure of a title race too big a step, don’t underestimate how big a blow it could be losing one of few experienced players we had.
For 7 years Xhaka had a toxic relationship with some Gooners.
He’s the mistreated ex who eventually left on their own terms, leaving you wanting more.
After years of thinking the grass would be greener, it’s those Gooners who might miss Xhaka more then he misses them.
More than maybe they thought.
If he’s a success in the Bundesliga and we continue our Prem drought, he will be getting the last laugh that some will say some of my peers deserve.
If this were a movie, Xhaka is the hero who deserves the happy ending, not those who can’t cope with their team losing so have to resort to name calling and threats.
Some won’t be able to forgive or forget the concept of someone having the honour of being our captain and throwing the armband to the floor.
Xhaka probably wouldn’t want their validation anyway. Not if they were the cowards who abused him and his loved ones daily.
Xhaka was an employee that was paid to give his best for the crest. He did that.
He doesn’t have to pretend he loved the fans or agreed with their version of supporting.
I appreciate an adult treating adults like adults, and not kissing the badge and pretending he loves the club. It was his job, and he felt some Gooners were morons.
I respect that more than a false apology and reading out a statement he didn’t write. That’s what many in his position would have done, they would have succumbed to Unai Emery’s wishes.
One day Xhaka will return to the Emirates.
Not loved ……but I think he will return respected.
The man he is.
I think that means more to him.
Dan
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We are saying goodbye to a fantastic player and person love by the Arsenal family.
It has been an incredible journey for him and he has given absolutely everything for the club.
Want to thank Granite Xhaka for his contribution during his seven years with us and wish him and his family the best of health and happiness in the future.
Hello! Can you name his contributions for the past 6 years? His last year was the best due to Mikel. Rather than bootlicking the sacked one, he should have stamped his authority and asked for his preferred position. The sacked one made him a scapegoat for his failures or arrogance. Nothing should be taken away from Granit for turning around his misunderstanding with the fans and his superb last year.
The writer has gone overboard with praise. We had painful memories how we lost the top 4 spot with Unai with his silly mistake, the spanking by Bayern,etc etc.
Nevertheless I do wish him the success in life. And would give him a standing ovation should he return only because of his final year.
Loose Canon
He always makes himself available and gives his all, no questions about that.
That’s all I ever ask of a player, Xhaka is second to none in that regard.
How do you rate the new Spurs kit? What has been the response over there?
HH
Response has been luke warm, the white is okay , need a little red now.
He left at the moment we needed him most. He was improving everyday. We wish him the best in future as well as we will miss his contribution to the team
If only Granit helped us to win the league title last season. That would’ve been a great send off if one had to ask me.
Good luck in your upcoming journey Mr. Xhaka. Be blessed and stay well. Thanks for all the memories.
Never in all my years following Arsenal and football have I seen one player change the whole attitude, from walking off, throwing his armband, and swearing at Arsenal fans, to a season later fans singing in tribute “There’s only Granit Xhaka”, a song sung for DB10 in the past. I take my hat off to him, to stay and fight his ground, and have his best season in goals including one against Spurs. Xhaka I wish you the best for the future and you will always have a special place in a lot of Arsenal fan’s hearts. Good luck fella
Xhaka to me was and enigma, I always felt he was played out of position. That until Arteta arrived and changed his position and what a valuable player for us he turned out last season. He is a leader and in this young side we needed him. He has fight and puts it all on the line game after game, when ever a scuffled occurred he would see him tearing down the pitch to defend his family. We are definitely going to miss that is season. His long range thunder bolts and his aggression will be missed. He choose to stay and fight when he could have ran, that is how you identify a true Leader
Au revoir Mr Xhaka a true Gunner with with heart and passion.
Arsenal should learn from their positional assignment mistakes with Willian and Xhaka. It’s hard to believe that the so-called football experts with decades of experience couldn’t see that
Rice seems to have similar strengths and weaknesses, so Arteta surely knows how to “fix” him if he fails as a CDM. I bet Arteta has a good plan for Havertz as well
As for Xhaka, I believe he can be a very good manager in the future. I wish the same thing for David Luiz, who may also be a good coach
I am as you put it ” a true Arsenal fan”, having supported them for over 60 years and from a family of dedicated Arsenal fans.
I am glad Xhaka has gone. In my opinion he was never good enough to be an Arsenal player; he was too slow; up until last season was always liable to get sent off and cost us the game; his only skill was turning his back to the opponent, falling over and hope for a free kick.
We will be so much stronger this year with a more skillful and much more mobile midfielder in place.
All Arsenal fans are entitled to their own opinions and if they disagree with you it doesn’t mean they are not true supporters.
Agree with your last paragraph 100% Den B.
I disagree with everything else though, but isn’t that what makes the world go around?
Respect your opinion fellow Gooner.
I will print out and pin this article in my room(home museum) as this will help me mentor the next generation using xhaka’s leadership traits,For sure he inspired many arsenal fans around the globe.I regard him highly just like puyol who used to show his teammates what it takes to earn respect…even from your compatriots.I can’t wait to have my own statue of him at my domicile before I see his and that of arteta at the Emirates,one day .
Rosicky,Cazorla among others were True legends of our team … irrespective of leaving without Champions League and now xhaka has followed suit
Xhaka could’ve made our squad stronger if he’d agreed to stay for one more season as a second-string who plays a fair number of games. Xhaka and Rice would bring a lot of brute force to that midfield they’d be tough and awkward to play against.
Farewell Granit Xhaka all the best in your future endeavors
Superb tribute Dan.
I concur with all you say about the man and I wish him all the best.
Interesting to note that, while Xhaka’s footballing journey continues, the man some suggested AW should have brought, Nkonte(excuse the spelling!) is swanning off to the Arab league,injury plagued and unwanted by any european club… funny old game.
Are you talking about Ngolo Kante? Former footballer of the year, 2 x premier league, champions league, europa league , fa cup, world cup winner? And instrumental and big influence in winning these trophies for the teams he played for; xhaka over him? Another world beater added to the AW nearly signed list. Nevertheless, good last season from Xhaka, good luck to him.
That’s the one 👍👍
Injury prone and playing in a team that sold it’s soul to the Russian rouble.
I wish him a happy retirement.
Ngolo’s body of work means that his football legacy far exceeds that of Xhaka.
The brilliance of this footballer is something to behold. He should be lauded as being one of the greatest midfielders ever to play in the PL and an icon of modern football on a global level.
Xhaka was a leader in an initially limited Arsenal and was eventually part of a team transformed. At times, he touched greatness.
Kanté is on a different level and achieved true greatness.
Did I say differently?
All I noted was that Xhaka is still plying his trade in the Bundesliga (seen as a top league) while Kante has gone to, what many see as a step down, probably due to those injury concerns.
Great article Dan 👏👏
Xhaka certainly polarised opinions amongst Arsenal fans.
No, he wasn’t the greatest midfielder we ever had. Nor was he the best passer or the best tackler and yes his decision making was pretty awful at times and he was too slow.
But…
Many midfielders have come and gone at Arsenal who were technically better than he was but never put in half the effort Xhaka did or was half the team player he was.
Personally, I feel this is a loss to Arsenal and our midfield has become poorer for his loss.
Best of luck Granit and thanks !
Just to say thank you Granit and all the best for your new adventure. You were superb for us last season and another year helping our new arrivals would have been great.
Plenty of ups and downs but it was fitting that you said farewell with two goals and a motm performance.
Gone but not forgotten
You keep on mentioning AFTV, when on an endless sequence of articles you kept spilling the same negativity albeit in text form. Why don’t you ever write about Lee Gunner and his cohort of negative voices?
You are entitled to your opinion likewise anyone on AFTV. Stop mentioning them for cheap attention and focus on your writing.
Total disappointment for me in every way. But good luck too him.
There can be no excuse for anyone trying to attack anyone, even a highly paid professional footballer, by attacking/abusing his family. The abuse levelled at Granit Xhaka, regardless of his supposed disrespect for the Club, was a disgrace to the good name of the Arsenal. They are a pack of gutless wonders, who would never dare say such things to his face.
Xhaka’s availablity to play (due to his excellent injury record) once he kept his temper in check, will be missed. I wish him well at Bayer Leverkusen.
Gosh, all the crocodile tears on xhaka leaving. Many here did not have a good word for him in his many seasons here and even now, the fake praise is hypocritical.
He cost us many points during his time here and even last season, cost us 2 pts at anfield due to his supposed leadership.
This leader conversely is able to gee up the opponents and their fans and in the same instance cause us to lower our spirits.
I rarely see him gee up his team when the chips are down ie take control of the situation and calm the play down yet he goes and consoles the fouled opponent. Wt?
As LC has said, if he was a leader, he would have insisted in playing in his best position but selfishly did not do so and thus be a hinderance to his team. Oh but he scored …. really?, his goals did not change the momentum for us. A leader is one who does
Anyway, I am glad to see him gone.