‘Maybe it was a misunderstanding and both sides overreacted’: Granit Xhaka plays down row with Arsenal fans after he told them to ‘f*** off’ and insists he will ‘give everything’ for the club despite being stripped of captaincy
Granit Xhaka insists that he has moved on from his furious row with Arsenal fans earlier in the season and wants to stay at the club long-term.
The Switzerland star’s relationship with supporters reached a new low last October when he appeared to tell those inside the Emirates to ‘f*** off’ during a game against Crystal Palace.
The incident occurred as Xhaka was being substituted, with some home fans bursting into ironic cheers as youngster Bukayo Saka prepared to come on.
Granit Xhaka was involved in a furious bust-up with Arsenal fans at the Emirates in October
The midfielder cupped his ear to supporters and told them to ‘f*** off’ after being booed
The midfielder, who was Gunners’ captain at the time, gesticulated with his arms to encourage the disgruntled fans to get behind the team.
But Xhaka’s attempt fell on deaf ears as the crowd started to boo because he was walking rather than running off the pitch.
The 27-year-old cupped his ear to supporters, told them to ‘f*** off’ and then ripped off his shirt before making his way down the tunnel.
However, after returning to the team a month later and staying put during the January transfer window, Xhaka says the issue is now in the past.
‘The subject is closed for me,’ he told German publication Bild. ‘Maybe it was also a misunderstanding, and both sides overreacted a bit.
‘The fans can be sure that I always go beyond my limits and give everything for Arsenal.’
Xhaka was stripped of the captaincy by then-manager Unai Emery in the aftermath of the incident, but has played a key role under his successor, Mikel Arteta.