Granit Xhaka received a standing ovation from Arsenal supporters as he left the field for his first game back at the Emirates. 

The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder’s return to Arsenal didn’t go as planned for Granit Xhaka.

In the opening match of the Emirates Cup this summer, the Gunners defeated Xabi Alonso’s team handily. The hosts won 4-1 thanks to goals from Oleksandr Zinchenko, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus, and Kai Havertz.

Arsenal performed admirably in this good test. The display will make Mikel Arteta very happy, but Xhaka won’t be as thrilled.

In a preseason friendly, of course, the outcome is irrelevant, but we’re sure the Swiss international was hoping for a far better result than 4-1.

Arsenal supporters were quick to recall Xhaka’s remarks following the match, stating that he took “two steps forward” after leaving the Gunners.

After those remarks backfired, Xhaka became the target of amusing social media trolling by Arsenal supporters.

After Arsenal defeated Bayer Leverkusen, supporters tromped Granit Xhaka.

In the Emirates Cup, Arsenal completely dominated Bayer Leverkusen, particularly in the first half. The Gunners’ mobility in the last third was unmatched by the German champions.

By no means did Xhaka have a poor game, but he ultimately lost. To make matters worse, he unintentionally assisted Havertz in scoring Arsenal’s fourth goal by placing the ball in his way.

After the game, the midfielder’s remarks about taking “two steps forward” came up on X, where Arsenal supporters ridiculed the Leverkusen star.

Along with a picture of the scoreline, one Arsenal fan joked: “Granit Xhaka, are these the two steps forward you were talking about?”

“Xhaka, will you explain what are the two steps,” said another fan.

Another Gooner tweeted: “Two steps ahead Granit Xhaka is three goals behind at HT!”

“Arsenal went TWO STEPS ahead of Xhaka in nine mins. Hehehehe,” joked another Arsenal fan after the Gunners took a 2-0 lead.

Jokes aside, Xhaka is deserving of great respect.

The Swiss international experienced several highs and lows while playing for the Emirates. At one point, it appeared like he might depart as a player who was despised.

But under Arteta, Xhaka turned things around, and on Wednesday, upon his return to North London, the midfield player was showered with affection.

Just befоre the gаme begаn, Xhаkа’s nаme wаs cаlled, аnd the аrsenаl suppоrters greeted him wаrmly. Then, аrtetа gаve him а hug аnd аnоther stаnding оvаtiоn when he wаs substituted оff in the secоnd hаlf.

It was lovely to witness Xhaka’s coming full circle at this time.