Granit Xhaka has finally broken his silence on the recent controversy involving him and the fans during Sunday's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace. After rumors emerged that the midfielder refused to issue an apology, he has now taken to social media to issue a statement on last weekend's incident.
The Gunners captain was taken off in the second half of the clash with the Eagles after throwing away a 2-0 lead. The Swiss midfielder was then met with jeers when his number came off but that soon turned into boos after he took his time to leave the pitch. Xhaka then goaded the supporters, cupped his ears, and aimed profanity at his hecklers before ripping off the jersey and storming down the tunnel.
Many have called for the 27-year-old to be stripped of the captaincy, with the north London giants are yet to do nor rule out. On Thursday night, the former Bundesliga man took to Instagram to issue a statement on his actions, admitting that he reached the boiling point.
"After taking some time to reflect on what happened on Sunday afternoon, I would like to give you an explanation rather than just a quick response.
"The scenes that took place around my substitution have moved me deeply. I love this club and always give 100% on and off the pitch.
"My feeling of not being understood by fans, and repeated abusive comments at matches and in social media over the last weeks and months have hurt me deeply. People have said things like 'we will break your legs', 'kill your wife', and 'wish that your daughter gets cancer'. That has stirred me up and I reached boiling point when I felt the rejection in the stadium on Sunday.
"In this situation, I let myself be carried away and reacted in a way that disrespected the group of fans that support our club, our team and myself with positive energy. That has not been my intention and I'm sorry if that's what people thought.
"My wish is that we get back to a place of mutual respect, remembering why we fell in love with this game in the first place. Let's move forward positively together."
However, fans are split on his response. Many argue that this was a sufficient statement given the unhealthy abuse he received from the fans and are eager to move on together from this drama. Others, meanwhile, are not happy with the statement, insisting that this was not a sufficient apology but merely an excuse.
You have to admire the conceit of Granit Xhaka! He cannot see how arrogant this statement is
— Ells (@EllsGooner) October 31, 2019
I'm confident that he'll expect to start on Saturday with the armband on.
This is likely to make the situation MUCH worse #Xhaka#Arsenal pic.twitter.com/b2hF4BYc31
Despite Granit Xhaka's response, for me it would be wrong for him to remain in the position of Arsenal Football Club's captain. It is better if he is taken out of the spotlight after the abuse that he has received.
— (@ArsenalHQ19) October 31, 2019
I'd make Aubameyang captain so that Granit can recover. pic.twitter.com/ayKVlX2nlP
I'm not buying that social media had anything to do with his reaction. This wishy washy apology only confirms Xhaka doesn't have the mental capacity to lead. He shouldn't be captain, he's a bad fit for the PL and the club should sell him. pic.twitter.com/WJnzmjE2HZ
— Arsenal Truth (@TruthArsenal) October 31, 2019
Xhaka is a man for whom respect is everything.
— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) October 31, 2019
He wants mutual respect if we're to move forward. https://t.co/yNBtWuq4C9
Regardless of his wage or your opinion on his ability, Granit Xhaka is human too. Some of the comments he receives are nothing short of disgraceful. Credit to him for acknowledging his poor reaction. However, as a fanbase we need to be better. He needs us now more than ever.
— Patrick Timmons (@PatrickTimmons1) October 31, 2019
The personal abuse Xhaka says he's endured is disgusting & shame on those morons who spewed it. But this belated statement doesn't change my view that he should be relieved of the captaincy. Aside from this incident, he's not good enough to command a 1st XI starting place. https://t.co/iMLe4k02YR
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 31, 2019
The message of granit #Xhaka
— ELMORADO (@ElmoradoPlus) October 31, 2019
I çan't see any apologies to the fans #XhakaOut pic.twitter.com/VfyPoWaDob
Last I'm gonna say on this matter, if Xhaka worded it more like this I'd be forgiving, but he added 'if that's what you thought' at the end just makes it passive aggressive which to me just shows he was forced into making it and not meaning it. #Arsenal pic.twitter.com/R0Bkz8wPCn
— Alexander Agombar (@AJA_Styles) November 1, 2019
Xhaka - Its 100% wrong that a number of Fans abuse him and his family. His statement however is not an apology, just an excuse for the disrespect he fired at ALL fans and the club. He's picked by the manager, thats not his fault. But his actions are. He cannot remain Captain.
— Den (@DenAFC69_888) November 1, 2019
Is Granit Xhaka Letter an apology or not ???
— Adam Ibn Musa (@Haderm_baylin) November 1, 2019
As of now, Granit remains Emery's first-choice captain. Whether that will change or remain the same moving forward is uncertain. Another thing that is unknown is whether the midfielder will feature in the club's upcoming game, Saturday's clash with Wolves, or be taken out of the firing line.
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