Granit Xhaka Finally Discloses Who Was Behind His Arsenal Exit

• Granit Xhaka spent seven years with Arsenal before he called time with them in the summer
• His wife was said to have influenced his decision to dump the Gunners for Bayer Leverkusen
• Xhaka made close to 300 appearances for the north Londoners during his time with them

Granit Xhaka has finally revealed who was behind his shock departure from Arsenal in the summer.

The Swiss midfielder was one of Mikel Arteta's key players during their Premier League title charge last season.

Xhaka was expected to continue at the Emirates Stadium this term as the Gunners embarked on giving the title push another shot.

However, the 31-year-old cut ties with the north London club as he sealed a sensational summer move to Bundesliga side, Bayer Leverkusen.

His exit came at a time when he had become a popular figure at the Emirates, having made close to 300 appearances for the north Londoners.

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Why Xhaka left Arsenal

According to The Mirror, Xhaka's wife, Leonita Lekaj was allegedly behind his decision to dump the Gunners. However, the midfield maestro has come out to set the record straight on the circumstances that led to his exit.

Speaking to NZZ am Sonntag, the former Arsenal skipper disclosed that he was individually responsible for his move to Bayer Leverkusen.

"I didn’t come to Leverkusen as a boss, but because I was looking for a new challenge. I felt like my time at Arsenal was over for me after seven years in London," he said.

Xhaka described leaving the Gunners and joining the Bundesliga outfit as a player and a person with experience.

"It was sometimes written that I was coming back to Germany because of my wife. That’s not the truth," he concluded.

Xhaka seals transfer to Bayer Leverkusen

Sports Brief previously reported on Xhaka preparing to leave Arsenal after more than six years, ahead of the arrival of Declan Rice from West Ham United.

The Swiss star, who had become a Gunners favourite, then sealed a sensational return to the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, in a deal over five years.