Immediate former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka for the first time in over a month returned to the Gunners’ starting XI against German side, Eintracht Frankfurt in a Europa League tie on Thursday night at the Emirates.
The Swiss midfielder had not featured for the north London side since October 27 when he used the F word against fans who booed him as he went off during a match against Crystal Palace at the Emirates. He was thereafter stripped of the captaincy and frozen out of the team by coach Unai Emery.
On Thursday night he was named in the starting XI by Unai Emery as Arsenal went on to lose 2-1, a result that further piled pressure on Unai Emery. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opened the scoring for the Gunners before Daichi Kamada scored a brace to complete a comeback win over the Gunners who have already qualified for the round of 32.
As the handful of fans who attended the match protested urging for Emery’s dismissal, a section of fans noted something that further irked them. Xhaka was pictured chatting and laughing with a couple of Frankfurt players something that didn’t go well with fans who believe he no longer cares about the club.
They took to social media to air their displeasure with some calling for his shipping out once the January transfer window.
Granit Xhaka laughing and smiling after we’ve lost 2-1 in an absolute shambles of a game. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it a thousand more times. Granit Xhaka get out of my club!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/Fy3wyq7ek4
— Lucy ☃️ (@LGooner11) November 28, 2019
This is honestly terrible from Xhaka pic.twitter.com/kvVeVWkSbt
— AubaCazette 🔴 (@auba_cazette) November 28, 2019
Good grief. I mean, I understand Xhaka not caring about the club or fans anymore, but after he’s been cheered back you’d think he could at least hide it until he got in the tunnel. pic.twitter.com/zMOpbqR7Jq
— Massimo Marioni (@MassMarioni) November 28, 2019
Xhaka smiling and laughing with Frankfurt players.
Exit him in January. Horrendous player. Needs to go.
— Le Grove (@LeGrove) November 28, 2019
Xhaka certainly not a whole lot bothered. Really can't blame him. Arsenal are beyond a mess. pic.twitter.com/LQZJobdG8k
— Shaughs 🔴⚪️ (@shaughsAFC) November 28, 2019
Wanker Xhaka laughing. Leave my club you fraud pic.twitter.com/6Ud6H2RHWW
— Gooner Adam 🔴⚪️ (@AdzCampbell91) November 28, 2019