Arsenal skipper Granit Xhaka ended up "devastated" following the match against Crystal Palace on Sunday, according to Gunners manager Unai Emery. The Swiss was not upset because the game ended in a draw. It was more of how club supporters treated him and the way he reacted.
When the match score read 2-2, Emery decided to pull Xhaka out of the pitch, and the midfielder was booed on his way out. Reports said the team captain returned the favor by shouting expletives directed to the fans.
The episode saddened the Swiss international, who also admitted that he was wrong to clash with Arsenal supporters, Metro reported.
However, the latest word from Emery appeared to indicate Xhaka has no plans yet to apologize amid calls that he is stripped of his position. Also, the Gunners boss did not mention if club executives will be penalizing the skipper.
He did confirm, though, that Xhaka will not be on the pitch when Arsenal faces Liverpool on Wednesday, which he clarified was a decision made prior to Palace's visit at the Emirates.
Per the same report by Metro, it was suggested that Arsenal is unlikely to punish the team captain, said to be popular among the Gunners players, for fear that such action might spark revolt from the roster. Emery said he is still contemplating on the growing clamor from fans that Xhaka must be removed from the captainship.
In a related report, the Independent said Emery is standing by on Xhaka and made clear that the Swiss has what it takes to perform his role.
"He has the values, the respect in the dressing room, experience. He is captain of his national team and has the condition to be the captain," the publication reported the Arsenal boss as saying.
Emery further explained that while Xhaka felt he was wrong, his angry reaction to the jeering fans was natural.
"It is normal, like a human, every player needs the supporters to support them and the team," said the Spaniard.
Arsenal also plans to provide counseling for the Swiss as the club has been made aware that Gunners fans appeared to be picking on the team captain lately. According to The Daily Mail, Xhaka got the same treatment during a late September match by Arsenal against Aston Villa.
The Gunners won the game at 3-2, but surprisingly, Xhaka, who was substituted, was booed by Arsenal supporters on the way out.
The same report indicated Xhaka is getting the same abuse in social media platforms and appeared to be on edge heading to the game against Crystal Palace.
