Mikel Arteta reveals Granit Xhaka feared abuse by Arsenal fans following red card in December

Sending-off came a year after the midfielder clashed with Gunners fans while being substituted

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka was sent off against Burnley in December (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta has revealed that Granit Xhaka feared abuse by the club’s fans following his red card versus Burnley in December.

The Switzerland midfielder was sent off as his side lost 1-0 to the Clarets at the Emirates Stadium, a year after he clashed with Arsenal fans during a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.

Xhaka was booed off the Emirates pitch as he was substituted by then Arsenal coach Unai Emery in the fixture with Palace, and the 28-year-old’s aggressive response looked like it might herald the end of his time at the north London club.

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The midfielder lost the captain’s armband as a result of his reaction to the incident, and – although he has not since been reinstated to that role – Xhaka has managed to rebuild his Arsenal career.

He did, however, fear that his relationship with Gunners fans could again become strained after he was sent off in the Burnley defeat two months ago.

“He has had two big episodes,” Arteta is reported by Goal as having said.

“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.”

Ten-man Arsenal were beaten 1-0 at Wolves in the Premier League last time out, with the club’s subsequent appeal against David Luiz’s red card rejected this week.

Arteta’s side next take on Aston Villa in the top flight in an away fixture this Sunday.