Xhaka admits he almost left Arsenal after backlash from fans but Arteta has changed everything

‘I was very, very close to leaving the club’: Granit Xhaka admits he almost walked out on Arsenal after backlash from fans but says new boss Mikel Arteta has ensured players are ‘back with happiness’ ahead of FA Cup final

  • In October 2019 Granit Xhaka was booed from the field by his own supporters 
  • The midfielder was furious and made obscene gestures as he left the pitch 
  • After battling back into the team, Xhaka admits he was ‘very close’ to leaving
  • Xhaka puts huge credit at the feet of Mikel Arteta for bringing in fresh hope 

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has admitted he was on the brink of walking away from the club after he was abused by his own fans in October 2019.

During a match against London rivals Crystal Palace, in which Arsenal scored twice in the opening 10 minutes yet still squandered what looked set to be a victory, Xhaka was subbed on the hour mark and widely ridiculed.

The Emirates poured their fury over the then club captain, who tore off his shirt and made obscene gestures as he left the field.

Granit Xhaka has admitted he was on the brink of leaving after he was abused by Arsenal fans

Granit Xhaka has admitted he was on the brink of leaving after he was abused by Arsenal fans

The pressure had got to Xhaka, who had a furious reaction to fans getting on top of him

The pressure had got to Xhaka, who had a furious reaction to fans getting on top of him

Xhaka was later stripped of the captain’s armband by previous boss Unai Emery, and was expected never to play for the club again.

Since, Xhaka has enjoyed something of a complete rehabilitation, getting the fans back on side and regaining his regular first XI starting position.

Speaking for the first time on the whole episode, Xhaka told BT Sport this week: ‘Everyone knows what happened with me and the fans – or the fans with me. It was not a good time. It was not a nice time. 

‘But maybe it was the key because I came back stronger than ever so I learned a lot from this situation. I hope the fans have too.

‘I was always saying to myself, but to the fans too, I am a guy that will go 100 per cent each game. The people start to understand me more and more now again.

‘I have to be honest, I’m very honest with everyone. I was very, very close to leaving the club. I have, until this moment, I had a great, great time in this football club. 

‘But after this, I was of course a bit down because I did not expect that from the people from the fans.

Xhaka credits Mikel Arteta for lifting the spirits at Arsenal and personally motivating him

Xhaka credits Mikel Arteta for lifting the spirits at Arsenal and personally motivating him

‘It was never in my mind to leave the club before, but after this happened, of course you think about it.’

For Xhaka, one man who has overseen a complete metamorphosis of the club is new manager Mikel Arteta.

Arteta was tasked with coming in to replaced the sacked Emery and, though the Gunners were unable to track down Champions League qualification, they finished the season strongly with victories over the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City, and now have an FA Cup final on the horizon.

Xhaka feels that not only have day-to-day operations changed at Arsenal, but the spirits and mentality of the players has also shifted.

‘Since Mikel came to this club a lot of things have changed,’ he added. ‘He’s changed the mentality, the spirit, not only for us players but in the group. 

Smiles have returned at Arsenal, with the club aiming to end the season with FA Cup glory

Smiles have returned at Arsenal, with the club aiming to end the season with FA Cup glory

‘Everyone knows exactly what their job is. We have a clear game plan. He prepared us really well against a lot of good teams and yeah, at the moment, it’s like we are back with happiness. Coming to training with happiness. We do amazing work.’

It was Arteta also, Xhaka adds, who encouraged him to remain at the Emirates and repay the belief shown in him.

‘Mikel was the guy,’ says Xhaka. ‘He turned me around and gave me a second chance and he showed me he trusted me and I tried to give him everything back.’

Read the full interview on btsport.com here. Watch Arsenal v Chelsea in the Heads Up FA Cup Final this Saturday from 16:15 on BT Sport

source: dailymail.co.uk