Granit Xhaka has defined his resolution to go away Arsenal.

The midfielder has joined Bayer Leverkusen in a £21.5m deal.

But he has denied hypothesis that his spouse was the deciding think about his resolution to depart North London.

He mentioned: "There was speculation everywhere that my wife was no longer happy in England. That is not at all true.

"The reality is that as an individual I'm at all times excited by new challenges. After seven years, the time has come for one thing utterly new.

"The league is not new, but the club is. During the talks with Simon Rolfes [sporting director] and Xabi Alonso, I felt that the long-term project at Leverkusen was worthwhile and that it was 100% in line with me."