The 14th April 2024 might go down as a poignant one for each Arsenal Soccer Membership and Granit Xhaka.
Each kicking off a 4.30pm, the Gunners had the possibility to cement their very own title ambitions towards Aston Villa.
That they had seen fellow challengers Liverpool tast defeat towards Crystal Palace only a few hours prior however the kind ebook was ripped up, sending Manchester Metropolis high of the pile.
Whereas Arsenal suffered a crippling 2-0 loss to Unai Emery’s males, Xhaka was in no temper to be despondent.
Scoring simply his second objective in Bayer Leverkusen colors, he helped Xabi Alonso’s males to their first-ever Bundesliga title win, smacking Werder Bremen 5-0.
Many questioned the sale of the Swiss, however the midfielder has loved a lifetime of luxurious since transferring again to Germany, with Leverkusen remarkably unbeaten throughout all competitions this season.
Granit Xhaka’s season in numbers
Xhaka’s departure from the Emirates Stadium final summer time got here as an actual shock. The previous Gunners man had revived his profession in some type, transferring from much-hated membership captain to an actual membership icon.
Why? Effectively, his kind as a left-sided 8 beneath Arteta was nothing wanting outstanding in his remaining time period in London.
Surging ahead from the centre of the pitch and ghosting into the penalty field like a chief Frank Lampard, the 31-year-old contributed 9 targets and 7 assists, capturing the hearts of many at Emirates Stadium.
|
Granit Xhaka’s Premier League profession at Arsenal |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Season |
Video games |
Objectives |
Assists |
Yellow playing cards |
|
2016/17 |
32 |
2 |
2 |
5 |
|
2017/18 |
38 |
1 |
7 |
10 |
|
2018/19 |
29 |
4 |
2 |
10 |
|
2019/20 |
31 |
1 |
2 |
10 |
|
2020/21 |
31 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
|
2021/22 |
27 |
1 |
2 |
10 |
|
2022/23 |
37 |
7 |
7 |
5 |
|
Figures through WhoScored |
||||
This time period has been an ideal deal totally different for Xhaka. He has discovered the online twice and solely has one help for his troubles.
That doesn’t imply the Bundesliga champion has underperformed although, removed from it.
As per FBref, he ranks in the easiest 1% of midfielders in Germany’s high flight this time period for progressive passes, total passes, passes into the ultimate third, touches, carries and passes acquired.
He has been an actual focus of Alonso’s workforce, additionally sitting among the many finest 11% for shot-creating actions and high 2% for go completion charge. It’s secure to say he’s been fairly rattling good.
Why did Arsenal let him go, subsequently? Effectively, it was their final likelihood to money in and a sure Kai Havertz was proper across the nook.
Contemplating it took him till November to attain from open play, there might be a tinge of remorse round Xhaka’s departure. He has been nothing wanting a sensation in 2023/24.
That mentioned, he isn’t the one Bundesliga star the membership might look again upon questioning ‘what if?’.
Arsenal will remorse promoting one other Bundesliga star
We now have to return additional in time for this story, one which doesn’t fairly have the identical candy style as Xhaka’s fabled story.
This time, Serge Gnabry is the main focus, scorer of a objective on the Emirates Stadium final week within the Champions League.
Most supporters will likely be aware of the very fact he as soon as performed for the Gunners however he stays most likely their greatest mistake in the case of participant departures.
The German had made his breakthrough ten years in the past, throughout the 2013/14 marketing campaign, notably scoring his first league objective towards Swansea.
Nevertheless, the younger winger on the time didn’t signal a brand new contract and ultimately took his depart, departing London for a payment of simply £4m, signing for Werder Bremen after solely 18 Arsenal appearances.
Talking about his exit, the now 28-year-old mentioned: “I used to be nonetheless assured I might’ve bought within the workforce however I didn’t need to wait. I didn’t need to be fourth or fifth selection any longer. It was the toughest choice I needed to make in soccer, leaving a membership like Arsenal – the followers, the gamers – however to maintain enjoying I needed to take a step again and it was the best choice.”
What’s Gnabry doing now? Effectively, regardless of Bayern failing to win the league title for the primary time in 11 years, the £310k-per-week earner has nonetheless been shining, displaying Arsenal what they’re lacking.
It’s been an injury-hit marketing campaign for the Germany worldwide however he’s nonetheless discovered the online 5 occasions in 17 outings. Final time period was way more productive, nonetheless, bagging 17 occasions and helping 12 strikes. To place these numbers into context, they have been each higher than Bukayo Saka’s tally of 15 targets and 11 assists in 2022/23.
So, despite the fact that they’ve had the Englishman breakthrough with some aplomb, there would absolutely nonetheless be room for Gnabry in a modern-day Arsenal aspect.
His numbers for Bayern have been terribly constant. Hailed as “world-class” by author Cristian Nyari, the 45-cap German has discovered the online on 86 events in 235 matches.
To lose a participant who was as soon as valued at over £50m for simply £4m will likely be a sickener. His market worth – as per Soccer Transfers – might have now fallen simply £29m after a interval on the sidelines, however he’s nonetheless an distinctive expertise. Arsenal should rue not with the ability to persuade him to remain in England, maybe much more so than a sure Xhaka.
The place Are They Now
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