Arsenal's Granit Xhaka returns to Borussia Monchengladbach to say farewell

A smiling Xhaka enters the arena (Photo: Bongarts/Getty Images)

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka made an emotional return to Borussia Monchengladbach on Tuesday night, to say farewell to supporters at his former club.

The Swiss international joined the Gunners from Gladbach in the summer, but never had chance to say goodbye to fans at the Borussia Park, with his move ratified as he headed off to Euro 2016.

But ahead of Gladbach's final Bundesliga clash of the year, against Wolfsburg, Xhaka returned to show his appreciation to fans of the club he captained during his final year with Die Fohlen.

"Thank you for four unforgettable years" read the shirt on the 24-year-old's chest, as he stepped out of the tunnel ahead of kickoff, to the delight of the home crowd.

The club handed Xhaka a farewell gift, featuring some of his best moments in a Borussia shirt.

The midfielder made 140 appearances during his four year spell with the German outfit, scoring nine goals and leading them to back-to-back fourth place finishes.

However, Xhaka's return couldn't inspire his former club, as they fell to a 2-1 defeat to Wolfsburg, leaving boss Andre Schubert on the verge of the sack.

Schubert's side have now lost eight of their 16 Bundesliga matches this season, winning just four.

Mario Gomez's second half strike - coming just five minutes after Thorgan Hazard had equalised for the hosts - consigned Gladbach to a third loss in four games.

They now sit 14th in the table, having been leapfrogged by the visitors, and Schubert is now under increasing pressure.