Granit Xhaka has hinted that his possibility of leaving Arsenal is confirmed next week and has dismissed speculation that his wife is behind an imminent return to Germany.
The midfielder has been closely linked with a £15m move to Bayer Leverkusen in the summer and Sunday's 5-0 win over Wolves seemed all the way to mind and purpose was an appearance. farewell to the 30-year-old player.
Xhaka scored twice in the first half and looked emotional as he was let off the field in the 75th minute, receiving a standing ovation from the fans.
Although coach Mikel Arteta repeatedly refused to confirm Xhaka's departure, most fans seemed resigned to his impending departure and held up banners thanking him for it. served the club.
After game time ran out, Arsenal players took turns praising and Xhaka followed closely the rest of the team with his family, seemingly to enjoy the atmosphere at the Emirates for one last time.
When he left the stadium later in his car, Xhaka was mobbed one last time by fans looking for autographs and was asked about his future.
While he stopped short of outright confirming his departure, he suggested an announcement was imminent and hit back at claims his wife – who is from Germany – was behind the move to Leverkusen.
Granit Xhaka breaks silence on Arsenal exit rumours
Asked by AFTV contributor Pippa Monique on her YouTube channel if he is really going, Xhaka replied:
'You will see next week what happens.'
When his wife was mentioned as a possible reason for his move back to Germany, Xhaka twice said:
'It's not about the missus.'
Recent reports in German newspaper Sport Bild claimed Xhaka's wife, Leonita Lekaj, was pushing for a return to her homeland, with the pair having actually met when the midfielder was playing for Borussia Monchengladbach.
Arteta, meanwhile, was full of praise for Xhaka and when asked about the reception he received from fans, he said:
'Well deserved, he's had an incredible season.
'I think one year back I spoke to him and I told him, “Question mark on you, you have to deliver more, you have to be better, I'm going to challenge you to play here”. "And I think he came back and started training the next day, and he went into pre-season 4kg lighter, fit, with that [determination] face and really ready." to do that.
"He's been brilliant, he's been an important part of the team and the team's success and I'm glad people appreciate what he's done."
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