28 May 2023 , 17:59
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Arsenal fans serenaded Granit Xhaka with chants of "we want you to stay" after the midfielder scored twice in what could end up being his final game for the club.
Xhaka hinted in the lead-up to the game at home to Wolves that he could be on the move at the end of the season. He dropped a further hint on the morning of the game, sharing a graphic which showed him in each of the home shirts he has worn during his time at the Emirates Stadium.
The Swiss international scored twice inside the first 15 minutes of a comfortable 5-0 win, and only a rushed finish prevented him from completing a first ever senior hat-trick. When he made way for Fabio Vieira with a quarter of an hour to go, the reaction from the fans was unmistakeable.
Xhaka had looked to be on the verge of an exit during Unai Emery's tenure, when his reaction to fans during a game against Crystal Palace caused a rift. However, after being convinced to stay by Mikel Arteta, the former Borussia Monchengladbach man has become popular among the support once again.
“Where I was three years ago and where I am today, I think I’ve grown up as a person and I’ve got my respect back," Xhaka said after Arsenal's defeat against Nottingham Forest. "In the dressing room everything was always fine but I got it back from the fans.
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“When I talked about special…I mean, how can I say it? Where I have been and how I came back and my turnaround, maybe it’s the first time in the history of the Premier League it’s been done? It’s made me happy. It makes me proud. But this is my story, my path."
How will you remember Xhaka's Arsenal spell if he leaves this summer? Have your say in the comments section
Granit Xhaka applauded the fans as he left the pitch (Getty Images)Fans inside the Emirates Stadium were seen holding up shirts bearing Xhaka's name and number, seemingly accepting of the fact that this would be his final appearance. Bayer Leverkusen are among the clubs to express an interest in the Swiss international, who spent four seasons in the Bundesliga with Gladbach before joining Arsenal in 2016.
“How the fans have treated me, I didn’t expect that - but I am thankful for them," he added ahead of the finale. "I want to give them something back for, maybe, my last game on Sunday.
"I wanted to do something special this season, maybe with a title, but it’s not the time. Let’s see what the future holds.”
Xhaka's double set the Gunners on course for a demolition of Wolves, helping them end the season on their best points tally since the Invincibles season. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus struck either side of the break, while Jakub Kiwior scored his first ever goal for the club to make it five late on.