The Switzerland international, who departed Emirates Stadium for Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2023, became a fan favourite in his final season at the club. His contributions from midfield were key to Arsenal challenging for the title in the 2022/23 campaign, although they ultimately came up short to Manchester City.
It was a different story during his first season in Germany, however, with Xhaka helping Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title in the club's history.
Two outstanding free-kicks from Rice gave Arsenal a big advantage in the tie before Merino, playing as the main striker, guided home a third to leave Real with an almost insurmountable task for the second leg.
However, if any team can complete such a comeback in the Champions League, then it is Real at their fearsome Santiago Bernabeu home, but Arteta and his players are fully aware of that.
"Yeah, well, they were talking about it immediately," the Gunners head coach admitted of the players' thoughts in the dressing room when asked about knowing the tie is not over. "Great, enjoy it - and now let's prepare Saturday, very well, and then we'll have the time to prepare the next challenge in Madrid. But they are all very excited."
In the meantime, though, Arsenal can enjoy a historic night in north London with it likely former midfielder Xhaka did exactly that.
The message posted by Xhaka on social media.
The message posted by Xhaka on social media. (Image: Granit Xhaka on Instagram)
Via his Instagram story - after reposting Arsenal's full-time graphic - Xhaka wrote: "WOOOOOOOOW [flame and collision emoji]."
The 32-year-old will almost certainly be rooting for his old club in the Champions League after Leverkusen were knocked out of the last-16 stage by Bayern Munich. The German giants are currently behind from their first leg of their quarter-final tie with Inter Milan after losing 2-1 at home.
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