Xhaka's fall-out with Arsenal fans: Arteta reveals abuse concerns

The Switzerland international has been under the microscope by the media a couple of times for his questionable behavior on the pitch.

Granit Xhaka joined Arsenal from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016, and his five years at the club yet hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing.

From bad mouthing the club supporters to resorting to violence on the pitch, Xhaka has been sort of a controversial figure in north London.

As he was being substituted during a home loss to Crystal Palace last year, the midfielder reacted angrily to the jeers aimed at him and told the fans to ‘f*ck off’.

Much backlash was witnessed with the 28-year-old, who was thereafter stripped of his captaincy by former boss Unai Emery, and his family subjected to abuse online from sections of the Arsenal fanbase.

Just a year after the public fall-out with the Gooners, he was involved in another controversy as he grabbed midfielder Ashley Westwood by the throat in the 1-0 defeat to Burnley.

Xhaka, however, has been able to bounce back under and has become a key player in Mikel Arteta’s team, and the manager believes it is down to his determination to succeed at the club.

“He has had two big episodes,” said Arteta, via Goal. “You can maybe overcome one of those, but I think the second time it really shocks you and he said: ‘I don’t want to go through that again’.

“But this is why we are here, to try to support our players. I think the club was exceptional giving him all the support. We try to do the same, the team-mates did the same, and he has come through again.

“Now he is getting a lot of praise, the way he is playing, and it is down to his character. It is down to as well how much he wants to succeed at the club.”