Taking the captaincy away from Xhaka would be nothing more than a PR stunt from the club. I would respect them more if they stood by their player instead of doing an action because they feel obliged to be seen to be doing something.
Armband or not it’s not going to change the fact that we are in an embarrassing situation that the midfielder will be booed each time he touches the ball if he plays against Wolves. That’s an embarrassing situation that we shouldn’t let the minority make into a bigger situation then it is.
A bit of perspective is needed, a grown adult swore at a group of adults who were verbally abusing him, when the Switzerland FA are releasing statements you know it’s getting out of hand.
Let’s educate the minority, that going to a football stadium doesn’t give you the right to say and do whatever you want. You cannot be seen to be allowing the fans to run the club.
The fact is that who should be our captain was voted by the dressing room, the majority have asked for the Swiss to lead us. Emery obviously thought it was important to include everyone in that decision so why should the wishes of our manager and players be undermined just to tick a PR box, again Xhaka forfeiting the arm band won’t stop the abuse.
It’s been over 48 hours since the incident and it’s not like the players have been queuing up to take the side of the fans. They recognise what Xhaka and his family have had to tolerate, the same as Mustafi. Reports say that Torreria was in tears over how poisonous the Emirates was on Sunday (which if true leaves a question mark against his mentality), while teammates were quick to go around Xhaka’s house to console due to him being very upset about his treatment.
This isn’t like when Gallas had his strop, with Arsene Weneger realising his youthful squad could relate better to Fabregas leading them. This is a group who picked their captain and will not feel comfortable if the only reason that changes is because of trolls? What message would that send out?
I hear some gooners campaigning for Holding to get the gig. What if he then made a couple of mistakes, should we swear at him, abuse his wife and then provoke him enough where he stands up for himself? Have we become that kind of fanbase?
Bellerin tweeted….
That’s him asking the fans to change their ways, not him condemning his teammate. It’s an embarrassing situation that the Spaniard is another member of our team who has stories about being abused by his own fans, and can be an example to others that it doesn’t always last.
The irony being that we treat our own like, this then wonder why Koscielny has no sentiment when it comes to pulling off a shirt to reveal a Bordeaux one.
If Xhaka genuinely was sorry he would have found time in two days to have said it. The reality is he’s waiting for his employers to tell him what to say and do. They might force him to make an apology which won’t be genuine but taking away the arm band would be counterproductive.
Dan Smith