Granit Xhaka feared he’d played his last game for Arsenal

The Swiss international was booed off the field and told supporters to f*** off after being substitued during Arsenal’s 2-2 home draw with Crystal Palace on October 27

Granit Xhaka of Arsenal (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Granit Xhaka has revealed he feared he’d never play for Arsenal again after his high-profile bust-up with the club’s fans and former manager Unai Emery.

The Swiss international was booed off the field and told supporters to f*** off after being substitued during Arsenal’s 2-2 home draw with Crystal Palace on October 27.

Former boss Emery went on to strip Xhaka of the captain’s armband sparking the midfielder to seriously consider his future at the Emirates.

“Of course, I don’t lie,” he said when asked by the Evening Standard whether he thought he’d played his last game for the club. “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.”

Xhaka has become a central figure under new manager Mikel Arteta but says he would “think twice” if he was offered the captaincy again.

“I know with or without the armband what I can give the team,” he added. “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.”