Granit Xhaka has been stripped of the Arsenal captaincy following his spat with Arsenal fans last month.
The Swiss midfielder failed to apologise for his actions on the pitch after Arsenal fans booed him off. Now Xhaka has lost his captaincy and looks set to leave the club in the January transfer window.
The whole incident created a real mix of responses from Arsenal fans and pundits. Some have backed the midfielder after having to endure lots of abuse from Arsenal fans in recent weeks.
Others have no sympathy for a player who disrespected the armband, in their view, by reacting to the fans in the way he did. It’s a topic that has divided opinion, but below we have gathered reaction to how Twitter has reacted to the news of Granit losing the captaincy.
Granit Xhaka, stripped of the captaincy, will surely leave #afc in January. Xhaka needs games not only because he loves playing, but also because he knows he has to stay fit for the Euros. He's genuinely hurt at having to give up the armband. Right decision by Emery though.
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) November 5, 2019
Although he shouldn't of got it, Xhaka losing the armband could potentially be the end of him. Like him or not, it shouldn't of ended that way
— John Short (@JohnnyShort2) November 5, 2019
Emery has stripped Xhaka of the captaincy, whoever replaces him will have to show some serious leadership qualities to fill that void. pic.twitter.com/zfBxD9mffO
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) November 5, 2019
I feel for Xhaka. He’s always given his best. To be ‘stripped of captaincy’ is quite harsh and it sets a dangerous precedent i.e. the abuse & boos win. Stick up for your players, protect them. We’ve just thrown him under the bus. End for him.
— FK ☕️? (@fkhanage) November 5, 2019
Too little too late from Emery? Should Auba have originally been given the captaincy, as per Gunnerblog
Arsenal have removed Xhaka from the captaincy group. Aubameyang is now club captain. A decision that perhaps should have been made at the start of the season, let alone a week ago.
— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) November 5, 2019
Absolutely the right call to take the captaincy off Xhaka. Damage was irreversible. Whether he still has a future as an Arsenal player we will have to wait and see. Possibly, but you would think only for the short-term. An exit now feels inevitable.
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) November 5, 2019
Xhaka stripped of captaincy…
Mood: pic.twitter.com/xu2GF6D2qR— ✞KING T BS5 (@WaveyTaj) November 5, 2019
It seems most believe removing the armband from Granit was the right decision. What do you think? Share your thoughts with us on social media @Fresh_Arsenal on Twitter.