Xhaka finally explains reasons for outburst towards Arsenal fans

Grani Xhaka explained that threats against he and his family as the reason why he reacted angrily at the jeering home fans during a disappointing encounter with Crystal Palace. The Gunners captain was substituted off by manager in a period where the home team were levelled up a game they initially led comfortanly. Reacting to his slow movements considering the scoreline with jeers and taunts, the Switzerland international couldn’t help but show discontent by replying some fans with the “F” words, cupping his ears and pulling off his jersey on the floor, heading straight for the dressing room. Xhaka’s unexpected reaction has been condemned, and some 96hrs after the incident days after the incident, he has decided to open up the issue through a statement published on Arsenal’s official Twitter account. “After taking some time to reflect on what happened on Sunday afternoon, I would like to give you an explanation rather than just a quick response,” the missive began.
“The scenes that took place around my substitution have moved me deeply. I love this club and have always given 100 per cent on and off the pitch.” He commented that threats to his life and family which he found frustrating were mainly responsible for the uncontrolled reaction. “My feeling of not being understood by fans, and repeated abusive comments at matches and on social media over the last weeks and months have hurt me deeply,” he added.
“People have said things like ‘We will break your legs,’ ‘kill your wife’ and ‘wish that your daughter gets cancer’. That has stirred me up and I reached boiling point when I felt the rejection in the stadium on Sunday.
“In this situation I let myself be carried away and reacted in a way that disrespected the group of fans that support our club, our team and myself with positive energy. That has not been my intention and I’m sorry if it’s what people thought.
“My wish is that we get back to a place of mutual respect, remembering why we fell in love with the game in the first place. Let’s move positively forward together.” The Gunners captain was off duty as the team lost to Liverpool in a dramatic Carabao cup fixture on Wednesday on penalties, after a 5-5 regular time result. All eyes is now fixed on coach Unai Emery is seeing how he decides the leadership issue in the team by either entrusting the leadership to Xhaka or look for someone else more reliable.