Arsenal: Four Key Matches That Defined Their Season
4. October 27, 2019, Captain Granit Xhaka storms off the pitch against Crystal Palace
Arsenal started their Premier League campaign inconsistently through the first two months. In nine league matches, they had won four, drawn twice, and lost three. However, they were still in a reasonably decent position in the table, fifth, two points from fourth-place Chelsea.
However, whispers of dissension in the dressing room started to become louder, and as fans’ expectations were also not being met, Unai Emery’s job security became tenuous.
Mid-fielder Granit Xhaka had been the Arsenal captain for the majority of their matches coming into their match against Crystal Palace at the Emirates. The Swiss 27-year old was in his fourth season with the club and had been a substantial contributor on and off the pitch.
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He was again named captain of the Arsenal squad against the Eagles.
The Gunners started the game exceptionally well. They scored two quick goals, Sokratis in the sixth and David Luiz in the eighth, to give the home side a 2-0 lead.
Then, things got sketchy.
Palace’s Wilfried Zaha was initially given a yellow card for diving in the box after being taken down by Calum Chambers in the 30th minute. However, upon VAR review, the call was reversed, and the Eagles were awarded a penalty. Luka Milivojevic converted the penalty to put the home side back into the game.
The Eagles scored just minutes after the break on a Jordan Ayew header to tie the match.
The atmosphere in the Emirates started to get as toxic as a leaky nuclear reactor as the home-side had been sleepwalking for the previous 40 minutes letting the visitors back into the match.
The crowd jeered as Xhaka was being substituted in the 61st minute. As he was walking off the field, he cupped his ear to the masses, waved his arms sarcastically egging them on, barely acknowledged his manager, and finally pulled his jersey off as he walked into the tunnel.
It was not the first time a frustrated player stormed off the pitch after being subbed. However, Xhaka took it much further. He was the club’s captain, he showed up his manager and intentionally antagonized the supporters in one minute.
The line was not only crossed; it was broken into pieces like a crystal vase hitting a hardwood floor.
The incident and subsequent draw against Crystal Palace only made the atmosphere around Arsenal, and it’s the beleaguered manager more poisonous.