'I didn't like what he did' - Kevin Campbell still wants Granit Xhaka to leave Arsenal

Kevin Campbell says he still wants Granit Xhaka to leave Arsenal despite the midfielder’s strong form this season.

Xhaka, 29, has endured a difficult relationship with the Gunners supporters ever since he removed his shirt and threw it to the ground following criticism in a home match in October 2019.

However, this season he has played a significant part in the Gunners’ top-four charge and scored from a long-range strike in Saturday’s 3-1 Premier League victory over Manchester United.

But Campbell, the former Arsenal forward, has not forgiven Xhaka for his misdemeanours and thinks he should not be at the club.

Speaking to Football Insider, he said: ‘Listen, he is playing well and the Arsenal fans are showing their appreciation.

‘It is not that the fans don’t like him. It is what he did. The fans were against that. Any fans who saw one of their players throw the shirt down would react the same. There would be a rift.

‘The team are doing a lot better at the moment and Xhaka is doing his job. If a player is doing the business the fans will want you.

‘Die-hards like myself would prefer him not to be there but that is just me. I didn’t like what he did.’

Following the incident three years ago, Xhaka’s captaincy was removed and he appeared to be on his way out of the Emirates until Mikel Arteta succeeded Unai Emery and convinced him to stay.

The Swiss star was once again close to an exit last summer when Roma registered an interest in signing him for £15 million. However, Arsenal were reluctant to let him leave without a replacement.

This term, he is enjoying his best campaign in a red and white shirt as his partnership with Thomas Partey in midfield has formed the bedrock to the team’s Champions League chase.

In Saturday’s