Arsene Wenger comments on Granit Xhaka’s situation at Arsenal

Follow us on Google Discover

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka was recently stripped of the captaincy by his manager Unai Emery.

Arsene Wenger has suggested that Granit Xhaka has been portrayed with the wrong image as he dubbed the Arsenal man as an ‘intelligent’ player.

But the former Gunners manager did make it clear that Arsenal’s image has to be respected in regards to the situation that has recently arisen with Xhaka.

Xhaka, who was signed by Wenger for £35 million in 2016 [BBC Sport], was recently stripped of the Arsenal captaincy after he reacted in an angry manner to being booed by his home supporters during his sides 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.

Speaking to Bein Sports (06/11/19), Wenger stated that ‘contrary’ to what he’s been hearing during these past few weeks, Xhaka is a top individual, as he shared his thoughts on the recent saga that has engulfed the North London outfit.

“You have to face these kinds of decisions as a manager,” Wenger told Bein Sports. “You always face the unexpected as a manager and you have to make quick decisions. Arsenal football club is respected all over the world because it’s built on values. Everybody has to respect these values and the manager has to get them to be respected.

“You have people with the passion [in regards to Xhaka’s reacation], with the pressure that they are under and with the disappointment they carry out. They sometimes have fractions when you don’t want.

“I think Xhaka is an intelligent player, contrary to what I have heard in the recent weeks and finally he apologised. That’s what you wanted from him. He was captain at Gladbach, I don’t think he was the captain with me.”

It doesn’t help Emery’s situation when Arsenal are in a bad run of form and on top of that he’s having to strip the armband from his captain.

On Wednesday, the Gunners conceded a late goal as they recorded a 1-1 draw during their Europa League clash against Vitoria in Portugal.

Now, at the weekend, they will face off against Brendan Rodgers’ high-flying Leicester City. Defeat here will only increase the pressure on Emery’s shoulders.