I was very close to leaving Arsenal – Xhaka

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has admitted he was close to leaving the North London club last year.

The midfielder is being celebrated this season and proved the matchwinner in victory over Europa League opponents PSV Eindhoven.

In the summer of 2021, he was on his way when Roma pushed for a deal. Xhaka now admits that a move was imminent.

“I was very, very close (to leaving Arsenal). And when I say very, very close… it was like you have the stuff here and I just had to take it and leave the door,” Xhaka told the BBC’s Football Focus.

“At that moment, you don’t see anyone around you. This is the biggest problem. You sit in a dark place and feel alone.”