Xhaka has just won the Bundesliga title with Bayer Leverkusen in his first season with the club, scoring in Sunday’s 5-0 win over Werder Bremen which took them over the line. The Swiss has not missed a single league game throughout the whole campaign, starting all 29 of them.
His strike at the weekend was only his second of the season, having previously recorded a goal and an assist from defensive midfield. Xhaka left Arsenal after seven rocky years at the Emirates during a period in which he fell out with the fanbase before rebuilding rapport ahead off his exit.
He was part of the squad that lost out to Manchester City during last year’s Premier League title race and from afar has kept a close eye on this season’s chase for their first crown in 20 years. He is still in touch with some of his former teammates and is hoping they get over the line this time.
Speaking to Omasports.com after on-pitch title celebrations at the BayArena, Xhaka said of Arsenal: “Send them good luck? For sure. Somebody told me that they lost today… but everything is still close.
“I am still in contact with many teammates at the club. I wish them nothing but luck and hopefully they can do it this year because last year was very close.”
Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Villa leaves them two points off leaders Man City with six games to go, after Liverpool were downed 1-0 by Crystal Palace earlier in the day.
Speaking after the game, Mikel Arteta sent a stern message to his players ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League second leg with Bayern Munich.
He said: “If you want to win championships, if you want to be there in the Champions League, when you have these moments you have to stand up. If not, that means that you don’t have a quality that is very necessary. Now it’s a big test for us.”
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