Granit Xhaka claims fans reaction was incomprehensible.
It’s safe to say Granit Xhaka and Arsenal fans will probably never enjoy a positive relationship with each other again.
The Swiss midfielder was booed off in his last game for the club and the way he handled the situation has forced the club to strip him of the captain’s armband.
He has not featured since and it seems he hasn’t gotten over the abuse he suffered from the fans. He was clearly taken aback by the vehemence of the fans reaction.
“When my shirt number lit up on the board of the fourth official and then broke jealous jubilation of their own fans. That hit me very much and stirred up,” Xhaka told Swiss newspaper Blick.
“It was very painful and frustrating. For me, this reaction is still incomprehensible, especially in this vehemence and how extremely hostile I was here.
“Since I can remember, the fans are an integral part of my sport. I have a lot of respect from the beginning for the commitment and hardships fans take to help us players”
Unai Emery claims that Xhaka asked not to be involved in their league game against Leicester City as he continues to struggle mentally. He may never be mentally ready to play for the club again.
Without the 27-year-old Arsenal was beaten 2-0 by the Foxes. They now find themselves nine points adrift of Brendan Rodgers’ side.
Top four is starting to look like a distant dream.
Just sell him. Use the money to pay for Emery’s and his staffs’ contract terminations, or to buy Wilfried Zaha
It will solve a lot of problems and Xhaka is highly replaceable anyway
Xhaka’s value is still very high according to Transfermarkt, due to his age, experience and long-term contract. I think we could fetch at least 30 M for this boy
How many goals does Zaha have this season?????
He plays for Crystal Palace. He doesn’t have big players to play with. Obviously his stats will be lower than playing for a big club. Also he offers more than just goals
Zaha is a tricky winger and could do well in our squad but he’s not worth Palaces valuation – Pepe is younger and has done more this season (1 goal, 3 assists, 3 big chances created) than Zaha has (0 goals, 1 assist, 1 big chance created), despite it being an adjustment period for him (and the club) and playing less minutes (742 v Zahas 1015) 🤷♂️
Whilst having Zaha and Pepe upfront would be pretty formidable, buying him now would just hamper the development of Saka and Martinelli imo.
I’m a Zaha fan, but he was poor yesterday.
Zaha, is a GOOD player, that is it. Nothing special.
Please let us get this digested: My Arsenal is no longer a bigger team than Crystal palace and Sheffield United. We are now Mid Table team bro. Let us lower our expectations. #Emeryout
None, but Innit has explained Zaha’s capabilities perfectly
Zaha also seems to play with a brake in this season, due to the failed move. I bet he would perform differently at Arsenal, especially if he plays alongside his compatriot
Zaha isn’t playing with the brake, he isn’t that great. Palace level only.
Exactly mate if he was a good enough player he would have a much better return of goals or assists than he has, never scored more than 10 goals in a season at 26 no matter who he plays for that’s not clinical enough, 80 mill is waaay too much, could be much more wisely spent.
I didn’t know Zaha played CB or DM, the two positions Arsenal is deficient in.
The best thing is to sell Xhaka and sack Emery.
No matter who Emery brings in, He will find a way of making things sour. Up until now, he still play around with formations, he doesn’t have his starting line up… He brought in some players but he is not using them properly.
I want Him to succeed of course as a fan of the club but his style worries me and I fear for the worst
I heard it would cost around 15 M to fire him and his staffs
there is no player will be good at arsenal with Emery in charge,trust me
I heard arsenal is in talk with a former bacelona coach. Enrique will do better than Emery.
Admin MARTIN, iT IS HIGH TIME THAT I CONGRATULATED YOU ONE OF YOUR BETTER ARTICLES. Not the only one either, not by a long chalk. I might quibble with “disappearing dream” though; “disappeared ” would be more accurate!
When our team is crying out for qua!ity centre backs and midfielders, why on earth would you waste millions on buying another winger particularly when we have invested 72m in Pepe and have a real talent in Martinelli who is more than capable of playing side right of left.Fans advocating for the acquisition of the temperamental Zaha really need to understand that without solid foundations at the back and midfield we are going nowhere regardless of who is our Manager.Klop and Pep would not be able to improve Arsenal without replacing 7/8 members of our first team squad.Who ever is in charge should be moving mountains to clear out our numerous non performers.We have to accept this season as a write off as the forerunner of a massive clear out in the summer.No more pleas for zaha please.
Who are the players you want to ship out because there are very few Wenger players left in this squad so who really do you want out.
Jah son, why would you assume they would be Wengers players?
Luiz, sokratis, Ceballos come to mind…along with mußtafi, xhaka and koĺasinac(?).
We desperately need to strengthen our midfield, both defensively and physically – the decision regarding pepe or Zaha was made.
👍
This is all board and kroenke choice to pick Emery, sack Ozil, drive all team nuts & lost. Xhaka captain is wrong as Auba, Ozil should be, then Laca and Chambers! It was to disrespect Ozil so he can leave but batclashed and Xhaka as any player can be booed today.
They did not back Xhaka and have mismanaged since, once we heard what he been experimenting, everyone understood how wrong it was to boo him afterwards! He should have been started and subbed in order to reunite us all,not this circus again!
Spurs did exactly the right thing, keeping Song on pitch, a real great image; football humanity, love, not just business!
Thanks Ken.To your list I would sadly add Torreria who I don’t think can cut it in the PL and possibly AMN who has failed to take his chances this season.