Arsenal have gone from strength to strength over recent seasons and that has seen some significant changes to their squad.
Mikel Arteta has done an impressive job at the Emirates Stadium, but even he will admit he has been handed solid backing in recent years to really improve his squad.
Arsenal fell just shy of ending their drought in the Premier League last season with just two points separating them and Manchester City.
And there were some really impressive individual displays over the 2023/24 campaign for the north Londoners with the likes of Declan Rice showing his quality.
However, Bukayo Saka has recently waxed lyrical about a player who has left Arsenal after showing the world just what he is capable of.
Bukayo Saka left wowed by for Arsenal player
Saka is one of the players who has really pushed the Gunners forward over recent years with the winger becoming one of the top forwards.
The 22-year-old returned a stunning 16 goals and nine assists in the Premier League alone last season.
But there is one player who Arteta sold last summer in a deal believed to be worth in the region of £21m who has showed Arsenal fans exactly what he is capable of.
With the Gunners coming mightily close to getting their hands on the title last season, there may be some regret in even letting him go.
Speaking to TalkSPORT, the 22-year-old forward admitted he has been left seriously impressed by midfielder Granit Xhaka who recently left the Gunners.
“Since he left Arsenal? Yeah, I have spoken to him a few times, but not since we came to this tournament,” said Saka.
“He has had an amazing year with Leverkusen and looks like he has carried on that form into this tournament. So, yeah, I am happy for him, so let’s see if we end up playing them.”
Granit Xhaka 2023/24 season statistics
Bayer Leverkusen had one of the most impressive seasons in European football history last term having gone unbeaten in their Bundesliga triumph.
And at the heart of their midfield was the former Arsenal man, Xhaka.
On top of lifting the Bundesliga title and DFB Pokal, Xhaka was able to feature 50 times for Xabi Alonso’s side where he racked up four goals and two assists.
He even scored the winner in the Pokal final to secure Leverkusen the league and cup double.
Not many may have questioned the decision to let Xhaka go at the time, but it has proven to be a real loss for Arsenal after seeing just what he has been doing in Germany.
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