Emery fears dressing-room repercussion for stripping Xhaka of Arsenal captaincy

October 29, 2019 By Ali M.

Topics: Granit Xhaka, Unai Emery, Arsenal, Liverpool, English League Club

Fans have demanded the club pass down the skipper's armband to another player after the Swiss midfielder's altercation with supporters.

Arsenal are set to return to the pitch this midweek but there is no resolution to the Granit Xhaka fiasco as of now. After the dramatic scenes that ensued in the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace, many are calling for the midfielder to be stripped of the captaincy but Emery is playing on the side of caution.

The Swiss ace was taken off in the second half after the Gunners threw away a 2-0 lead. The skipper, who was an unpopular figure among the fanbase prior to this incident, was then met with jeers when his number. Boos soon follow after he threw the captain armband at Aubameyang and strolled off the pitch, with Xhaka later goading his hecklers and cupping his ears.

Then came the worst part. The 27-year-old aimed profanity at the supporters before ripping off the jersey in anger and storming down the tunnel. He reportedly left the stadium early, before the final whistle, and is yet to break his silence over the incident.

Many feel the captain’s armband should be passed on to another player as a consequence but according to the Sun, the manager feels this would make the dressing-room rebel. Despite his unpopularity among the supporters, Xhaka remains a loved figure among his team-mates and the staff.

This could be deduced from Torreira’s emotional reaction to the abuse his captain faced, as the Uruguayan was left in tears due to Sunday’s occurrence. Bellerin, the first Arsenal player to take to social media to issue a statement, called for unity after the fans turned on the skipper.

Nonetheless, a decision is yet to be made, meaning anything is possible as of now. Granit has reportedly refused the club’s request for him to issue an apology, hinting at an incoming fine. Time will tell whether the captaincy will be docked off as well.

The north London giants will return to action on Wednesday, with the Gunners taking on Liverpool in the English League Cup round of 16.