Unai Emery has no choice but to take the captaincy off Granit Xhaka, who should apologise to the fans for his action at the Emirates, so says former Arsenal defender Nigel Winterburn.
Xhaka told Arsenal fans to “f*** off” as they reacted to his substitution during Sunday’s 2-2 Premier League draw at home to Crystal Palace.
Gunners had been two up after goals from Sokratis Papastathopoulos and David Luiz, but the visitors got back level through Luka Milivojevic’s spot-kick and Jordan Ayew’s second-half header.
Arsenal boss made the decision to replace the Switzerland international in the 61st minute and it was sarcastically cheered by the home supporters before that turned to jeers as he took his time to leave the pitch.
This saw the 27-year-old midfielder, who is one of five captains at the club, wave his arms and cup his ears before he mouthed swearwords to the crowd and chose to take off his shirt and head straight down the tunnel.
According to Winterburn in an interview with talkSPORT: “I think Unai Emery needs to take Xhaka out of the firing line in terms of the captaincy. He has five captains so he can easily do that.
“If he backs Xhaka, he will realise what supporting Arsenal Football Club is all about because if the supporters don’t agree with him – and they obviously don’t agree with Xhaka being captain at the moment – then the manager himself will come under increasing pressure.
“It has put Unai Emery in a very difficult situation. He has to deal with it very, very quickly. He can’t let it linger on.
“We have to move forward and concentrate on football. Deal with it today or tomorrow, get the statement out and we can move on very quickly.
“I hope there is an apology because Xhaka needs to realise the supporters are the ones who adore Arsenal FC. They are so passionate about this club.
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“You have to say ‘right, next time I play I’ll show why I am in the team’. But it will be difficult for the manager now and Xhaka because there will be a big clamour for the captaincy to be taken away from him.”
This article was most recently revised and updated 4 years ago
