Why is xhaka not playing

Overview

Granit Xhaka is a Swiss professional footballer who played for Arsenal from 2016 to 2023 before transferring to Bayer Leverkusen. Born on September 27, 1992, Xhaka began his professional career at FC Basel in 2010, making 108 appearances before moving to Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2012 for €8.5 million. At Gladbach, he established himself as a key midfielder with 140 appearances over four seasons. Arsenal signed Xhaka in May 2016 for a reported £30-35 million, making him their third-most expensive signing at the time. During his seven-year Arsenal tenure, Xhaka served as captain from September 2019 to January 2020 and became known for his leadership, passing range, and occasional disciplinary issues, receiving 5 red cards in his Arsenal career. His relationship with fans improved significantly during the 2022-23 season under manager Mikel Arteta, culminating in his best statistical season before his departure.

How It Works

Xhaka's transfer to Bayer Leverkusen occurred through standard football transfer procedures. The process began with Leverkusen expressing interest and negotiating with Arsenal, who agreed to sell as Xhaka entered the final year of his contract. Medical examinations were conducted in July 2023, and the transfer was officially completed on July 6, 2023. Xhaka signed a five-year contract with Leverkusen until 2028. Arsenal used the €25 million transfer fee to help fund their summer 2023 signings, including Declan Rice for £105 million. At Leverkusen, Xhaka reunited with former Arsenal teammate Bernd Leno and plays under manager Xabi Alonso in a 3-4-2-1 formation where he typically operates as a deep-lying playmaker. His departure created space in Arsenal's midfield for new signings while giving Leverkusen an experienced leader for their Bundesliga and European campaigns.

Why It Matters

Xhaka's transfer matters because it represents a significant chapter in both Arsenal's rebuilding process and Leverkusen's ambitions. For Arsenal, his departure marked the end of an era and allowed Arteta to reshape his midfield with younger players like Rice and Kai Havertz. For Leverkusen, acquiring an experienced international midfielder strengthened their squad for Bundesliga title contention and Europa League competition. Xhaka's successful 2022-23 season demonstrated his continued value at age 30, making his transfer noteworthy rather than a simple decline-phase move. The transfer also illustrates modern football's player mobility, with Xhaka becoming the latest in a line of players moving between Premier League and Bundesliga clubs. His continued strong performances for Switzerland (120+ caps) and Leverkusen confirm that his absence from Arsenal lineups results from strategic transfer decisions rather than performance decline.