Granit Xhaka scored for Bayer Leverkusen as they wrapped-up the title.(Image: MB Media/Getty Images)

What Granit Xhaka was doing during Arsenal vs Aston Villa speaks volumes

The former Arsenal midfielder was on target for Bayer Leverkusen in their 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen before his old club were beaten 2-0 by Aston Villa in the Premier League

14 Apr 2024, 19:18 by Liam Wood · football.london

Arsenal surrendered pole position in the Premier League title race on Sunday afternoon - shortly after one player who they allowed to leave the Emirates Stadium last summer helped to guide Bayer Leverkusen to their first ever Bundesliga crown. Granit Xhaka was on target for Leverkusen as they formally got their hands on the title and that goal against Werder Bremen came in some style, too.

Xhaka, who enjoyed seven years with Arsenal before Leverkusen signed him for €25million to in part to make way for Declan Rice arriving, curled into the top corner from 25 yards with his left-foot. The 31-year-old made it 2-0 and the newly-crowned champions eventually went on to score five.

No sooner than the final whistle sounded at the BayArena - where Leverkusen ended Bayern Munich's dominance of 11 straight Bundesliga title wins - Xhaka's old side Arsenal were stunned by Villa in their Premier League game as Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins struck in the dying embers.

That was an eye-catching result which kept Manchester City top of the table following their 5-1 victory over Luton Town on Saturday afternoon. Liverpool were also beaten - at home to Crystal Palace - on what could prove to be a significant 24 hours in the ongoing scrap for the English crown.

Following their defeats, Arsenal and Liverpool remain two points behind City at the summit. Pep Guardiola's squad are searching for a fourth-straight Premier League title this season, Arsenal a first in 20 years and Liverpool to wave goodbye to Jurgen Klopp in the best fashion possible.

Victor Boniface (pen) and Florian Wirtz (3) also scored for Leverkusen, but Xhaka - who netted for only the second time this season - was a particularly noteworthy scorer from an Arsenal perspective. Leverkusen have won the title with five games to spare and Xhaka's team-mates remain unbeaten in all competitions.

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