Granit Xhaka: Pep Guardiola sympathises with Arsenal midfielder over social media abuse

Guardiola called for fans and players to show respect to each other

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed sympathy with Granit Xhaka following his confrontation with his own supporters.

The Arsenal captain was jeered by his own supporters as he was substituted at the Emirates last Sunday in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.

Xhaka cupped his ear and appeared to swear at fans as he walked off the pitch, then tore off his shirt and walked straight down the tunnel.

The 27-year-old released a statement on Thursday explaining his reaction, revealing how he had been “hurt deeply” by abuse on social media.

“People have said things like, ‘We will break your legs’, ‘Kill your wife’ and ‘Wish that your daughter gets cancer’,” Xhaka said. “That has stirred me up and I reached boiling point when I felt the rejection in the stadium on Sunday.”

Guardiola called on fans and players to treat each other with respect and defended Xhaka, claiming he is an “incredible” player who has “something special”.

“We have to respect our supporters, it’s not easy for the players sometimes, I can understand Xhaka – the emotion of that moment even if I don’t know exactly what’s going on inside.

“Maybe I’m not the best guy to say that because sometimes I lose my emotions and cannot control myself but you have to try because at the end of the day it’s just a game so have fun and try to do your best.

“I’m pretty sure Xhaka gives absolutely everything to do his best for Arsenal and their teammates to get them winning games.

“He’s the captain because he has something special in the locker room. It has happened, sometimes you lose control.

“It will be forgotten and move forward, hopefully in the future the fans can forgive him and Xhaka can come back and show what an incredible player he is.”

Unai Emery, the Arsenal manager, confirmed on Friday that Xhaka would not play against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates on Saturday.