LEVERKUSEN — Granit Xhaka, a Swiss international who exchanged the Premier League title fight for a race for the Bundesliga, claims that his transfer from Arsenal to Bayer Leverkusen was a “step forward” in his Premier League career.

Xhaka ended his seven-year tenure with the Gunners at the conclusion of what was arguably his finest individual campaign. Throughout all competitions, Xhaka contributed seven assists and nine goals as Mikel Arteta’s team mounted an unexpected challenge for the Premier League championship. Last summer, a player who had cursed at fans who were jeering him years before left the Emirates Stadium to be greeted as a hero.

Xabi Alonso saw Xhaka as a crucial objective to restructure his team, and the 31-year-old’s performances have validated the Bayer Leverkusen head coach’s decision. Only Rodri has tried more passes among midfielders, and Xhaka has cemented himself as the beating heart of a team that leads the Bundesliga after dropping only two points so far this season. No one in the top five leagues in Europe has completed more passes into the final third.

“A lot of people asked me why are you going to Germany, it’s a step back,” Xhaka replied. “I see it as a step forward rather than a step back. The past four months have been excellent for me personally and for our team, in my opinion.

“Everything about this place was just what I wanted.” I will always remember my seven years at Arsenal; it was a long time filled with both good and unpleasant experiences. I sensed that I was in need of a fresh challenge. I’m thrilled to be here since I was thinking about the problem you’re facing. It’s a legendary club with a great history in Germany. If we can, let’s create greater history.”

Although Leverkusen hasn’t won a championship or the Bundesliga since 1993, they appear to be in a strong position to succeed this year under Alonso, who took over in October 2022 when the Bundesliga’s top teams were in the relegation zone. They are currently vying for titles. Perhaps this is why he is already being linked to some of the other elite positions in Europe.

In that sense, Alonso and Arteta, the former manager of Xhaka, have a lot in common. The two, who were formerly rival captains and schoolboy teammates in San Sebastian, Spain, are currently regarded as among of the game’s most promising managers. Xhaka has personally seen both of them up close and observes several parallels between them.

Naturally, I had an excellent relationship with Mikel. A young coach who, naturally, [like] Xabi now, began his coaching career with a large, enormous club like Arsenal. I don’t think there is much of a distinction between them. They operate and think in the same ways. I’m overjoyed to have Xabi now and Mikel in the past; it’s a privilege.

“First of all, he was an amazing player,” Xhaka responded when asked what makes Alonso stand out. Second, Xabi is displaying a tonne of little things on the pitch, which is something I value greatly as a midfielder, just like Mikel did. That’s something unique to me.”

Xhaka, who cost $27.2 million, was Leverkusen’s most expensive summertime addition. Xabi Alonso is counting on Xhaka to help lead his team to the Bundesliga’s summit. In Sunday’s 4-0 victory over Union Berlin, he made 12 ball recoveries, completed 20 progressive passes, nine more than any of his teammates, and completed 144 of 150 passes, demonstrating his quality on the pitch as it has become evident in recent weeks.

Acclaim for Xhaka has come from more than just his on-field abilities. Alonso was interested in learning about the new player’s influence in the background, where he and veteran additions Jonas Hoffman and Alex Grimaldo have played a significant role in communicating his coach’s messages.

“When you are not there and the team is on their own, two, three guys repeating the same message you’ve been giving is fundamental,” Alonso responded to a question regarding Xhaka’s influence off the pitch posed by CBS Sports. “When you have that you have a big part of the team in your hands.”They have the impression that they share that devotion and belief. We definitely have a few of them this year.

“I believe that in order to provide us stability, be dependable players, and improve our efficiency and consistency in the football game, we have signed highly strategic guys. They are incredibly consistent; they don’t have ups and downs as athletes. You now have the opportunity to play in the Bundesliga more frequently. To be honest, we didn’t anticipate becoming so accustomed to one another. I hope we can maintain it that way.