The Top Flight
Fansided

Granit Xhaka and Arsenal – A healthy but necessary break up

By Tom Childs

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 23: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal takes a shot during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on May 23, 2021 in London, England. A limited number of fans will be allowed into Premier League stadiums as Coronavirus restrictions begin to ease in the UK. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 23: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal takes a shot during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on May 23, 2021 in London, England. A limited number of fans will be allowed into Premier League stadiums as Coronavirus restrictions begin to ease in the UK. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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Granit Xhaka of Arsenal
Granit Xhaka of Arsenal (Photo by Visionhaus) /

It was the decision of Unai Emery’s to allow the players to vote for Xhaka as club captain in the summer of 2019 which puzzled supporters.

Many of Arsenal’s fan base felt that Xhaka didn’t possess the right temperament or ability to follow in the footsteps of Tony Adams, Patrick Vieira or Thierry Henry.

The players clearly saw Granit as a leader – the fans did not share the same optimism. The fan base’s cause for concerns was justified just a few months later.

Weeks and weeks of personal, supporter and team frustration came to a boil when Arsenal found themselves drawing at home with Crystal Palace.

Chasing a goal, then manager Unai Emery decided to substitute his captain.

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An apathetic stroll off the pitch from Xhaka was all it took for the Emirates crowd to voice their anger – booing Xhaka as his walk became slower and slower, topping it with hand gestures and swear words back at the crowd.

This incident divides opinion amongst the Arsenal supporters: many understand why Xhaka was booed, while others sympathised with the midfielder.

After all, Granit had been the victim of vile social media abuse for months from so-call ‘fans’.  In their eyes, his reaction was a natural one.

When we look back at Granit Xhaka’s Arsenal career, that fateful Saturday afternoon in 2019 will always be at the forefront of everyone’s memory.

An afternoon that – in the minds of many – should have spelt the end of Xhaka’s Arsenal career.

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