It had been a long time coming, but that didn't make it any less heartfelt. Granit Xhaka probably couldn't have asked for a better Arsenal farewell.
If the Swiss international had been granted three wishes by a genie the two of them certainly came in the form of goals in what is, despite Mikel Arteta's protestations to the contrary, set to be his final appearance in a Gunners shirt. The third had already come this season when the turnaround in his relationship with the Arsenal fans had been completed.
Just three years after hounding him off the pitch against Crystal Palace, an away end of Arsenal supporters at Brentford were proudly serenading the 30-year-old with his very own song. It was to be the first of many times that that jubilant chant rang round the Gunners faithful this season. It's been the culmination of a comeback that few saw coming. Few that is, except for Mikel Arteta.
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"I think one year back I spoke to him and I told him 'there’s a question mark on you, you have to deliver more, you have to be better, I'm going to challenge you to play here,'" the Spaniard told football.london in his post-match press conference. "He went back and I think he started to train the next day. He came back in pre-season four kilos less, fit, with this face *screws his face to show focus* and really willing to do it.
"He’s been exceptional. He’s been a key part of the team, the success of the team and I’m so happy everybody is appreciating what he’s done."
Throughout his time at Arsenal Xhaka has proved testament to the adage that a rising tide lifts all boats. As the level of this Arsenal squad has grown, so has he with it. The Swiss international has gone from a player many thought needed to be upgraded on, to one who is integral to everything the Gunners have done this season.
In many ways he is symbolic of the surprise package that Arsenal have been this season. Not many saw him managing nine goals and seven assists in a single campaign, and probably even fewer saw the Gunners pushing Manchester City all the way for the title.
His importance was crystallised by the morphing of his chant from "we've got Granit Xhaka" to "Granit Xhaka, we want you to stay". Sadly for Arsenal fans, that is a wish that looks set to go unanswered. He will move on to Bayer Leverkusen with the best wishes from all who have seen him for all of this season and most of last.
Arsenal too, will move on in their own way. Declan Rice is high on the agenda for the summer. It feels as though the timing is right for both parties.
That didn't make it any less emotional as Xhaka soaked up each and every adoring wave from the Emirates Stadium crowd. As he walked down the tunnel for the final time, the Swiss international would surely be sad that his seven year stay was over, but even more so, glad that it had happened.
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