This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Granit Xhaka’s exit from the pitch against Crystal Palace was far from pretty.
The 78-time Switzerland international is not a popular figure at the Emirates Stadium, yet he has been appointed captain by manager Unai Emery.
That has done little to reduce the anger and frustration towards him from the supporters, as was clear on Sunday evening.
Arsenal fans have started to turn on Unai Emery, find out who they’d rather have in charge in the video below…
With 29 minutes left on the clock, the 26-year-old was hooked from the field of play, which was met by cheers and boos from the Gunners’ faithful. This got to the former Borussia Monchengladbach man, with him then deciding to wave his arms, cup his hands to his ears and then appear to shout an expletive word towards the terraces.
Is it the kind of behaviour you would expect from your captain? Absolutely not, and as Emery said after the match, Xhaka was wrong to react in such a way.
However, it can partly be understood, and the way he snapped showed that the fans themselves are part of the problem.
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For the past decade or so, there has been a cauldron of tension and even vitriol amongst the north London side’s supporters. The Wenger In/Wenger Out debate went on for far too long, and it appeared to divide the fanbase.
Emery’s arrival was meant to bring people together, but old habits die hard. After channelling their frustration towards one scapegoat in particular in the past, Xhaka appears to have taken over the unwanted role despite there being plenty of reasons for the team’s lack of success.
Arsenal supporters clearly think they are right to give him such a hard time, maybe even thinking it will be a solution to their problems if they can hound him out of the team. But what good does it do to continually berate the captain?
The players voted for him to be given the armband, and spend their working lives with him. Who are they going to side with? The question answers itself. This comportment from the stands will only be a detriment to the overall morale of their side.
Airing frustration is understandable, but booing your captain off the pitch does no-one any favours.
As the hatred towards him increases, we appear to be bordering on Wenger territory, only even worse. At least the Frenchman had a group who still supported him.
If Arsenal are to go anywhere this season, they need all hands on deck, including from the stands. Publicly condemning one of your own, however unpopular, will get them nowhere.