Granit Xhaka scored a stunning goal to help Bayer Leverkusen to go clear at the top of the Bundesliga table on Friday night, before celebrating in amusing fashion.

LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY: Amine Adli and Granit Xhaka of Bayer Leverkusen interact with Referee Timo Gerach during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and 1. FSV Mainz 05 at BayArena on February 23, 2024. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY: Amine Adli and Granit Xhaka of Bayer Leverkusen interact with Referee Timo Gerach during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and 1. FSV Mainz 05 at BayArena on February 23, 2024. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka is in the midst of a title race this season, with new club Bayer Leverkusen taking on Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga title.

Leverkusen went into the weekend eight points clear of their title rivals, but they had the chance to put some extra pressure on Bayern by kicking off the round of fixtures by extending that lead to 11.

Bayern don’t play until 17:30 GMT on Saturday, and they have a tricky fixture against RB Leipzig. So the last thing they’d want to see would be another Leverkusen win over Mainz on Friday night.

LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY: Robert Andrich of Bayer Leverkusen celebrates with Granit Xhaka of Bayer Leverkusen after scoring his team's second goal during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and 1. FSV Mainz 05 at BayArena on February 23, 2024. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY: Robert Andrich of Bayer Leverkusen celebrates with Granit Xhaka of Bayer Leverkusen after scoring his team’s second goal during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and 1. FSV Mainz 05 at BayArena on February 23, 2024. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Unfortuantely for them, Xhaka put his team on the way to victory almost immediately, curling in a shot from outside the box in the third minute of the game.

Latest Arsenal injury updates and news

The Swiss international somehow looped a shot over Robin Zentner in the Mainz net, before wheeling away in celebration.

The Leverkusen bench then looked on in concern as Xhaka clutched at his hamstring, appearing to pull up.

But it was just a prank, with the 31-year-old breaking into a dance to prompt some relieved looks from Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso and his medical team.

LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY: Granit Xhaka, Jonas Hofmann and Josip Stanisic of Bayer Leverkusen celebrate following the team's victory during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern München at BayArena on February 10, 2024. (Photo by Leon Kuegeler/Getty Images)
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY: Granit Xhaka, Jonas Hofmann and Josip Stanisic of Bayer Leverkusen celebrate following the team’s victory during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern München at BayArena on February 10, 2024. (Photo by Leon Kuegeler/Getty Images)

Mainz quickly equalised, but Leverkusen added a second goal in the second half to win the game 2-1.

Xhaka’s new team sit 11 points clear of Bayern having played an extra game, with 11 games left to play of their own campaign.

With their two league games against Bayern already behind them, Leverkusen fans will be starting to dream about trophy celebrations in May.

Latest Arsenal injury updates and news