Mikel Arteta: Granit Xhaka took ‘huge decision’ to reveal feelings on Arsenal fan taunts in Crystal Palace match

Mikel Arteta says Granit Xhaka took a huge decision to reveal his feelings on the taunts from Arsenal fans, as the Swiss midfielder recounted being booed off the pitch during a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace in October 2019. Xhaka set the record straight in a revealing piece for the Players’ Tribune, and Arteta commended his bravery for speaking up on an unsavoury day for the former Gunners captain. Ad/> He said: «I would not like to go into detail of (about) what happened there.

Premier League'Not looking positive' Partey could miss rest of Arsenal season — ArtetaAN HOUR AGO “I think the importance of how things have developed is that for Granit (Xhaka), with his prominent personality and the way he is, to have the capacity and to feel that the environment is right for him now to open up and show vulnerability, show the feelings that he had and speak loudly about it and openly — I think it is a huge decision. “And to do that, you have to be emotionally really well and you have to be prepared and mature to do that. And not a lot of people are able to do that.» Burnley sack Dyche in bombshell move The cracks are starting to appear at Chelsea, more chaos feels inevitable Xhaka revealed just how close he was to leaving Arsenal in the article, saying: “My bags were packed.

The passports were out. I was done with Arsenal. Finished.

“There was a contract on the table from another club, and all I had to do was sign. I had talked with my wife, Leonita, and we had decided to leave. “I was just going to say goodbye to Mikel, and then we would board the plane.” “When I close my eyes now, I can still see their faces.

I can see their anger. “It’s not that they don’t like me. No, it’s different.

This is hate. Pure hate. I am really not