The Bundesliga made a comeback on Friday night. The reigning champions took on Borussia Monchengladbach to start the season, and German supporters were treated to a rocket from former Arsenal player Granit Xhaka.
Over his seven years at the Emirates Stadium, the star striker from Switzerland scored a number of incredible goals for the Premier League's biggest clubs. In his final season with the team before leaving for Bayer Leverkusen this past summer, the midfield player came dangerously close to winning the Premier League.
In his first season in Germany, Xhaka won the Bundesliga, and Leverkusen kicked off this campaign on Friday night per custom. The opening goal of this year was scored by the former captain of Arsenal, and it was well worth the summer wait as the seasoned player put on a show.
Xhaka sprinted onto a partially cleared cross from Jeremie Frimpong during the Bundesliga game versus his old team Borussia Monchengladbach and struck the ball with the steam of a thousand suns towards the upper corner. NASA rockets that were attempting to escape the earth's atmosphere have traveled slower than the strike from Xhaka. The goalie for Monchengladbach had already been defeated when his mind realized he had to move.
“I look at what they are criticising” : Granit Xhaka
During a video posted by the club prior to the season starting, Xhaka reflected on the amazing season for Bayer Leverkusen. He said, “We know people are hoping to beat us, they will try and they will do everything. But we still have the hunger to be where we were last season.”
The former Arsenal midfielder said, “I’m a fan of criticism because criticism makes you stronger. This is what I believe. I don’t drop my head, but I look at what they are criticising, and maybe I need to do something more, or change some things. I believe every player needs to go through criticism.”
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