'Once a Gooner': Arsenal fans taunt Granit Xhaka as transfer admission bites at him emphatically
Arsenal fans were quick to jeer Granit Xhaka on his return to the Emirates following the 4-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen.
The ex-Gunners The midfielder left the club to join the German side last summer, winning the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal with them.
Last month, Xhaka He angered some Gooners by claiming that signing for Leverkusen was not a step backwards, but quite the opposite.
He said: “The move from Arsenal to Leverkusen was not a step back, but two steps forward.”
But unfortunately for the Swiss international, his former side easily outclassed his current side in convincing fashion in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday.
Arsenal Bayern won 4-1, thanks to goals from Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, with Bayer's Adam Hlozek grabbing a consolation goal late in the second half.
Aside from the scoreline, things got worse for Xhaka as he accidentally passed his attempted block inside the box to Havertz to finish.
Xhaka was a fan favourite at the Emirates, and was still treated as such for the occasion, but Gunners fans on social media couldn't resist the opportunity to make a cheeky joke about his “two steps forward” comment.
“Granite Xhaka “2 steps forward and 2 goals conceded in 9 minutes!” wrote one.
“Xhaka passed it to Havertz for his goal… once a Gooner, always a Gooner,” another fan joked on X, referencing the midfielder's accidental role in his fourth goal.
A third added: “Xhaka said Leverkusen were a step forward for him now that they are being thrashed 3-0 at the Emirates.”
This user then joked: “Arsenal took TWO STEPS ahead of Xhaka in 9 minutes. Hahahaha.”
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Meanwhile, some couldn't help but reminisce about Xhaka's time at the club, with one writing: “Xhaka with the boys… tears in my eyes.”
Despite fans mocking his former captain on social media, the ex-Gunners man received a fantastic reception at the game.
Arsenal displayed a “welcome back” message for Xhaka on the giant screen at the Emirates.
He even received a standing ovation when he was substituted in the 80th minute.
Xhaka was also hugged by his former manager Mikel Arteta as he left the field.
The former Borussia Monchengladbach star went from being booed at the Emirates to cult hero during his time in north London, playing a key role in midfield in their title challenge in 2023, as well as winning two FA Cups.
He made 297 appearances after joining Monchengladbach in 2016 for £35m, scoring 23 goals and providing 29 assists.
And, of course, he received his share of red cards: five in total.
