Arsenal will compete in the Champions League again next season after returning to the competition for the first time since 2017.
Mikel Arteta reached the quarter-finals of Europe’s elite competition, but Arsenal fell short against Bayern Munich, despite the Germans enduring their worst domestic season in over a decade.
Despite signing Harry Kane, Bayern failed to win the Bundesliga for the first time in over 10 years, as a Bayer Leverkusen team with Granit Xhaka in midfield won an unbeaten league and cup double.
This means that Leverkusen, who also lost the Europa League final, will be playing in the Champions League next season, and this could see Xhaka face his former club if the two sides are drawn against each other, although this is a scenario he would like to avoid.
Granit Xhaka wants to avoid Arsenal in Champions League next season
Speaking via BR Football, Xhaka claimed that he would prefer to avoid a scenario where he is potentially lining up at the Emirates against his old teammates.
“If I’m honest I don’t want to play against them. Everyone knows what a beautiful seven years I had there. But if it’s to happen then I’ll be sure to enjoy it,” he stated.
With an expanded group stage next season, Arsenal could face Leverkusen who are in pot two of the seedings, and this would not only see Xhaka face his old club, but Kai Havertz will face his as well.
What an Arsenal Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen would look like
The game would see Xhaka come up against Kai Havertz, who was once a prodigal talent at Leverkusen before he joined Chelsea.
Havertz was brought in as Xhaka’s replacement in midfield, but after initially struggling there, he moved to a striker role and has thrived since.
The clash would also see Mikel Arteta come up against Xabi Alonso for the first time as a manager. The pair grew up together in the Basque Country, but never played together, with Arteta joining Real Sociedad as Alonso left.
Two high-quality, attacking teams who thrive in possession would come up against each other in a fascinating tie, with Arsenal’s rock-solid defence tasked with stopping a speedy Leverkusen attack, and there will be plenty of points to prove in both sides.