Arsenal's Xhaka says clash with fans left him in a 'dark place'

(Reuters) - Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has opened up on a clash with club's fans three years ago, saying it left him in a "dark place" and close to leaving the Premier League side.

During a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in October 2019, home supporters greeted a decision to substitute Xhaka with sarcastic cheers and booing. The incensed footballer cupped his hand to his ear as he stormed down the tunnel.

"I was very, very close (to leaving Arsenal) and when I say very, very close, it was like you guys have the stuff here and I only needed to take the stuff and to leave the door," Xhaka told the BBC's Football Focus.

"In this moment, you don't see anybody near you. This is the biggest problem. You are sitting in a dark place, feeling alone.

The Swiss international was stripped of the captaincy after the incident and left out of the side for a month by then-manager Unai Emery.

"I wish nobody would be in the situation where I have been," said Xhaka.

"If you ask me to go back and to think about it, I don't want to because I don't want to go back and to feel the same pain I had.

"But I was very, very strong, with the family, with the people around and we are sitting here now in a different story."

Xhaka said Arsenal's current manager Mikel Arteta convinced him to stay.

"I had never met Mikel before but I told him from the first meeting we had that I want to leave. It was nothing against him but the story that happened here, I can't play again with that shirt," Xhaka said.

"He is very honest and very straight.

"He knows exactly what he wants from me, he knows exactly where the process will go and I felt the moment is right to say 'yes I will stay'."