Arsenal fans have said their farewells to their longest-serving player of the post-Arsene Wenger era after Granit Xhaka agreed a move to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.
The Switzerland international has opted to bring down the curtain on his Gunners career after seven seasons at the Emirates Stadium, which included Wenger's final two campaigns, and return to Germany.
Xhaka will be remembered fondly by the majority of the Arsenal fanbase, despite periods of tension between them during Arsenal's struggles after Wenger's departure in 2018.
However, despite providing vital experience in Mikel Arteta's Premier League title challenge last season, changes are incoming at the club, and Xhaka has moved on to a new challenge.
Xhaka, Announced. ✅#GrueziGranit #Bayer04 #Werkself pic.twitter.com/qjvSLo1Evv
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) July 6, 2023
MORE: The latest on Declan Rice's record-breaking transfer to Arsenal
Granit Xhaka transfer to Bayer Leverkusen
Xhaka was linked with a departure since the final weeks of the 2022/23 campaign, and he was visibly emotional after being clapped off the pitch in Arsenal's final game of the season as he netted twice in a 5-0 win over Wolves.
The deal with Bayer Leverkusen has now been completed, with a £21.5m/$27.3m fee bringing him to Xabi Alonso's Leverkusen, where he has signed a five-year contract.
▶️ Now playing: Every Granit Xhaka goal contribution for us pic.twitter.com/8fjETdvluI
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 6, 2023
The move is a decent one for Arsenal from a financial perspective as they were able to recoup a reasonable fee for a player who turns 31 in September. However, Xhaka's influence in the Gunners midfield will be missed, as Arteta admitted when the move was confirmed.
"It's been an incredible journey together for him and he's given absolutely everything for this club," the Arsenal manager said.
"The influence Granit has had on his teammates on the pitch and colleagues at the club will tell you just how popular he is.
"We can't thank him enough for his service and contribution to this club over the years. We wish Granit and his family all the best in the next step of their lives.
"We are saying goodbye to a fantastic player and person loved by all of us."
Why has Granit Xhaka left Arsenal?
Xhaka's Arsenal exit is not a major surprise: he had entered the final year of his contract at the club, and Arteta plans major changes this summer.
Thirty-six starts from 38 Premier League games in 2022/23 demonstrated his importance to the Gunners' surprise title tilt, but after they fell short in their battle with eventual champions Manchester City, there is a sense of an update being needed.
Xhaka's up-and-down relationship with the fans has changed completely in the past two years following an infamous incident in 2019 where he was booed by section of the Gunners support against Crystal Palace and reacted angrily. It led to him being stripped of the club captaincy.
Not a great afternoon for Granit Xhaka...
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 28, 2019
The Arsenal captain was jeered by his own fans as he was substituted, before reportedly swearing at the crowd and rejecting a handshake from Unai Emery! 😳
Read the Arsenal manager's response here: https://t.co/i0Jq3l1qJN pic.twitter.com/DRb3JXrXm9
Xhaka credited Arteta with saving his Arsenal career, as the Basque coach convinced him to reject a 2020 move to Germany to stay at the club.
The transformation was significant as Xhaka's experience steadied Arsenal last season, despite Martin Odegaard taking over the captaincy, as the veteran showed selflessness and grit in key games.
Practicality over his age and contract status played a role in Arteta's decision but the main factor behind allowing him to leave is the small matter of an incoming transfer record.
Declan Rice is on the verge of completing a £105m/$133m move from West Ham in a seismic deal for Arsenal, who edged out Man City in the race for the midfielder. Rice will become the most expensive British player in history when the deal goes through.
Arteta is determined to ensure the momentum of last season is not only retained, but built on.
The mentality of not standing still in a title challenge is clear to see with the arrival of Rice as an upgrade on the departing Xhaka.
Rice is not expected to slot directly into Xhaka's left-sided No.8 role, with the England star tipped to play as a pivot (No.6), with fellow new signing Kai Havertz likely to take over in Xhaka's position.
Granit Xhaka Arsenal career, trophies won
Xhaka racked up 225 Premier League appearances for Arsenal across his seven years at the club with 17 goals scored. That total stretches out to 297 games played and 23 goals scored across all competitions.
His two major titles at Arsenal were the 2017 and 2020 FA Cups, with successive 2-1 wins over Chelsea in those finals, and he played a key part in a first Premier League top-four finish in his time at the club at the end of 2022/23.
Granit Xhaka red cards
In his 297 Arsenal appearances, Xhaka received 76 yellow cards and five red cards. All of those reds were straight dismissals, rather than for two bookings.
Xhaka developed something of a reputation for rash moments that sometimes put Arsenal in difficulty. His perceived lack of discipline, certainly before Arteta's arrival at the club, often saw him become a target for criticism from Gunners fans.
Xhaka defended his style of play in a piece with The Players' Tribune published in April 2022.
"When we are losing, I know what people are saying about me," he said. "When we are playing well, nobody says anything, but I know what people think. I don't forget what I hear.
"'He gets too many cards.' 'He's killing our game.'
"Listen, the cards have always been part of my game. They were in Germany, too. Remember the 50–50? I'm all in, and it's the same in training. If I elbow a player, I'll be the first one to say, "I'm sorry." But a tackle? Come on, guys. This is not ballet."