Bayer Leverkusen signing Granit Xhaka has explained leaving the Premier League.

Xhaka left Arsenal and England for Bayer last month.

He said: "I spent seven magnificent years at Arsenal, I didn't want to play against them. It wasn't easy for me to leave or for the club to let me go.

"I felt love and respect from Edu and (Mikel) Arteta, but I wanted to face a new challenge at Bayer Leverkusen."

On Bayer coach Xabi Alonso and Arsenal's Mikel Arteta, Xhaka said: "They have a very similar philosophy. Mikel is incredible, not only as a coach, and I think Xabi is on the same line .

"They both see football very differently other coaches I've had."