Transfer: Why Arsenal sold Xhaka to Leverkusen – Arteta opens up

Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has claimed Granit Xhaka had a “clear desire” to leave the club this summer.

Xhaka has since completed a £21.5million move to Bayer Leverkusen after 200 appearances for the Gunners in seven years.

Speaking to reporters after their 1-1 pre-season friendly draw with Nuremberg, Arteta was asked about Xhaka’s exit.

He replied: “There are three parts to this.

“He had a very clear desire that it was the right time and a big opportunity for him personally to move there.

“We had that conversation and in the end we all agreed that it was the right thing to move forward.”