Life have its own ups and downs but no ups stay for ever and nor does any downs. Well, one man exactly knows all about them roller coaster of twirls and twists as Granit Xhaka has had it all at Arsenal in last quarter of months.
Granit was stripped off the captain’s armband by Unai Emery back in November after the Swiss midfielder clashed with supporters in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace at Emirates.
The Gooners faithful cheered Xhaka’s substitution followed by some boos as he walked off, which resulted in Granit telling them to “f**k off”. The incident came in wake of Xhaka & his family receiving online abuse.
And many including Xhaka feared that was last he played for Arsenal, but we’ve come a long way since then. Xhaka has become a regular for Mikel Arteta and when asked by Standard Sport over his fears on Arsenal career, he said: “Of course, I don’t lie. There was a moment, because it was not easy for me and my family. I hope people understand this.
“But I think I showed my character. I am not a guy who runs away. I always say to the club, ‘When I [am] here, I am ready to give everything’. It was like this always. I train very hard and that things turned around is the key. This [has given me] the most happiness.”
Its clear how painful losing captaincy has been for Xhaka, who basically became vendor of last resort before Arsenal called time on Unai Emery’s reigns as gaffer.
The midfielder did wore the armband temporarily, coincidentally against Palace, when the Swiss was handed it in the closing stages of last month’s 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park. But he was reluctant to take it and Xhaka also expressed reservations over taking armband in future again.
“I know with or without the armband what I can give the team,” continued Xhaka. “But in this moment [against Palace] I don’t want to take the armband back, but Sokratis [Papastathopoulos] and David [Luiz] told me I have to take it. If one day the club asks me about the armband, I have to think twice.”
Xhaka is naturally a leader, with or without an armband around his biceps. But Granit confessed last few months has been something he has never experienced before.
“I had not so good a time when I was in Germany (with Borussia Monchengladbach) for the first six months because I didn’t play, but this one was something else,” said former Borussia Monchengladbach’ skipper.
“This one was not about a player, this was more about a human.
“But I want to think about the future. I know we can have a big future with Mikel, with this club and that is why I am very happy.”
Xhaka is again on favor with the supporters, “On one side I understand the fans, because they always want the players to perform, but on the other side they have to understand us as well. It is not always easy,”
“I think this is the biggest difference [between] Germany and England, because [here] we don’t have the [close] connection with the fans. In Germany for example, you have open training sessions, [where] the fans come and [talk to you], ask you why.
“Here, everything is closed. So, for me, it would be good this time to explain to the people what is not going good or bad. But it doesn’t matter now. Now we have to enjoy, that’s the most important [thing].”
