'Nothing is won yet' - Granit Xhaka reveals he is still scarred by Arsenal title race collapse as Bayer Leverkusen chase down Bundesliga crown

Xhaka has played a key role in Leverkusen's remarkable unbeaten charge towards a first-ever Bundesliga crown this season. Die Werkself are well clear of nearest challengers Bayern Munich in second, but the Swiss midfielder is wary of a capitulation in the run-in - a fate he suffered last season with Arsenal as the Gunners surrendered a healthy lead and Man City took advantage to claim the title.

Speaking to ESPN after Sunday's 2-0 win over 10-man Koln, Xhaka said: "We should be proud of our position but nothing is won yet - I am speaking from my own experience of last season [at Arsenal]. We had a similar points advantage over the team in second and we did not win the league, so I know this experience and I have shared it with the dressing room. Ten points is a lot when you have 10 games left, but there are still 30 points left to take so it is not over."

Arsenal had led Man City by eight points at one stage in 2022-23 before a late-season collapse. The Gunners were top for 248 days over the course of the campaign - the most without finishing first in Premier League history.

Unsurprisingly, Xhaka will be desperate to avoid a repeat. With victory over Koln, Leverkusen extended their lead at the top to 10 points after Bayern were held to draw by Freiburg on Friday night. Manager Xabi Alonso is gaining plenty of admirers, including Liverpool and Bayern, as a result of his exploits.

Unbeaten all season, Leverkusen are still fighting for silverware on three fronts and will turn their attention to the Europa League in midweek. They face the lengthy journey to Azerbaijan to face Qarabag in their last 16 first leg.