He did need to apologise/ explain himself. The majority of fans aren’t like the miserable tŵáts who abuse his family, those supporters don’t deserve to be told to feck off and have their captain behave like that on the pitch.
I wouldn’t boo a player, it doesn’t really help and makes the fan base look bad. It’s not just arsenal fans, loads of fans do it, whoever does it isn’t a great look. But fans do have the right to express their feelings and boo if they want, but there is a line. Anything personal and directed at family is obviously way over that line, and anyone who gets that wound up about football are obviously very sad.
Xhaka also has right to respond to fans. How he did it was wrong as it made the club look bad, he inflamed the situation. If he just runs off, there is no boos. He is the captain and should realise his responsibilities. I totally understand his reaction on a human level, but as a captain and footballer you need to deal with it in different ways.
The majority of fans frustration isn’t personal with players, it’s us having to consistently watch repeated mistakes from players who just aren’t good enough for this level. It’s the same with mustafi. I can see both players do try hard, and care, but they just don’t cut it. It’s frustration with management who keep picking them!
comment by Lexington 125.2 (U8879)
posted 15 minutes ago
For me there are two mayor points (at least) to address.
Whilst the abuse Xhaka has 'suffered'online doesn't reflect well on us as a fan base, it's completely wrong of him to lump it into the booing he faced on Sunday - after yet another bang average performance by him, it should be added - and his reaction to what was a tactical substitution aimed at bring the club (of which he is the captain) a victory.
The second point is that a lot (though not all) of the negativity aimed at him is actually anti-Emery sentiment, rather than solely anti-Xhaka. Just as Ozil shouldn't take the cheers and songs being sung about him to mean that Arsenal fans all think he's instantly going to transform us into world beaters, Xhaka is kinda collateral damage in our disgruntlement with the manager, and his lack of... well, pretty much anything good.
This statement is in no way an 'apology'. Ironically had it been, I'd have doubted its authorship - at least this feels as if Xhaka had a big part in writing it.
In some ways this lack of backing down shows strength. But ultimately it feels very weak, and also pretty cowardly. He couldn't just admit he'd made a mistake, rather dragging up spurious reasons for why he did what he did.
It's shocking to me that such an average player is a first team regular for this club. That he is also its Captain is borderline horrific. Hopefully at least one of these things is now dealt with.
If not, I think we're in for even worse things to come this season.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
'The majority of fans frustration isn’t personal with players, it’s us having to consistently watch repeated mistakes from players who just aren’t good enough for this level.'
-----
Agreed. I understand why a player might have a different perspective of this point but, for me at least, there hasn't been a single player I can remember that's left Arsenal, with things having not worked out well whilst he was with us, and wished them ill fortune at their next club.
The cynic in me questions why the statement took so long. Conveniently timed after the comments by the Borussia Monchengladbach director of football.
Which comments are these?
Sorry but this statement is a joke. Even if I can understand where he’s coming from, which I do, he hasn’t actually apologised. He’s just explained and vindicated his actions instead. He’s also exposed himself as mentally weak, yea we know that footballers are human beings but you have to be prepared for abuse and ridicule at some stage, whether it be on the internet or at a game. This guy is meant to be our captain and he’s telling us all how fragile he is when he’s meant to be the leader.
But my anger isn’t directed at Xhaka this time. How the fuccckkk have the club not stripped him of the captaincy yet? To me it looks like they have no intention of taking it from him whatsoever. Every single person and their dogs knew that Xhaka being named captain was a joke at the time, the way he got it was a joke and that he’s kept it this long is a joke. And now they have a perfect opportunity to rectify the huge mistake they’ve made and refuse to take it.
'Xhaka [has] made more errors leading to goals than any player since 2016-17...'
This an expert from an article published following the 2:2 with Spurs earlier this season.
Yet Xhaka says he loves the club 'and always give 100% on and off the pitch'.
If he's so active on social media, it figures he surely must be aware of this stat. Yet apparently he can't see why he's unpopular with the fans.
That's pretty weird tbh.
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
As long as he's out of the squad long term and is sold in Jan then that's all that matters at this stage.
Nothing to do with his actions or this statement, it's to do with the years of awful performances
I don't think the fans need to apologise (apart from those online keyboard waaankers), and I don't think Xhaka needs to apologise. Which is why I accepted this statement.
Doesn't change the fact he's a crap player, and craptain. This is his 4th season as a regular starter now, it's a joke
People are saying online the German version of his statement is more apologetic. Whatever.
Emery will say he can't strip Xhaka of the captaincy, as it was the players' decision to award it to him, not his.
Another mess the manager has created.
'People are saying online the German version of his statement is more apologetic. Whatever.'
Amount to posters here that will care about the 'German version'...?
If we were blessed with world beaters in MF then yes, xhaka doesn't warrant a place in the team. However, Torreira, Willock or whoever you want to put in there is not good enough.
Yes fans are frustrated with him as a player but there is no justification for the vile abuse or booing him. That will create more friction and divisions between the fans and the players.
'People are saying online the German version of his statement is more apologetic. Whatever.'
-----
Again though this comes down to it not being the supporters' role to improve our Spanish to make Emery more understandable, or our (High) German to make Xhaka more relatable. These guys are the ones with the responsibility, as I'm sure both their bank-balances show.
comment by Castor Troy (U8700)
posted 2 minutes ago
If we were blessed with world beaters in MF then yes, xhaka doesn't warrant a place in the team. However, Torreira, Willock or whoever you want to put in there is not good enough.
Yes fans are frustrated with him as a player but there is no justification for the vile abuse or booing him. That will create more friction and divisions between the fans and the players.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Jog on Castor. If you can't tell that Xhaka at CM and CDM is worse than our other options then you're more clueless than I thought
So what are the other options? Torreira and Guendouzi? That garbage combo has never worked.
Ceballos, bar the first game, has been very poor
MF is terrible, why can't the fans see that
Reading some of this comments it showing one thing. Apology or not Xhaka can't do right here. Some have an agenda against him and he cant escape.
Secondly for me personally it doesnt needed a statement from my side. Constantly abused and his family send death threats lead to his reaction. People demanded him to apologise are spoilt praaaats who give it largely but can't take it back.
Tbh as soon as Holding is fully fit again (which hopefully isn't far off now) I'd stick Luiz into midfield until January, then see if we can offload Xhaka - maybe Torreira too if he really wants to go - and chuck some serious money at a proper DM.
Suspect that might be complicated by the fact that by then we'll be some way off the pace for a top 4 finish. Which is why we need Emery gone during the next international break.
'Constantly abused and his family send death threats lead to his reaction.'
-----
Like Xhaka you're mixing two completely different things to form a justification for why he did what he did.
I doubt anyone in attendance on Sunday has ever sent abusive messages to Xhaka via social media, and he pretty much goaded the crowd into reaching the most vociferous level of booing.
That reaction, and his, is almost entirely on him and him alone.
comment by Lexington 125.2 (U8879)
posted 58 seconds ago
'Constantly abused and his family send death threats lead to his reaction.'
-----
Like Xhaka you're mixing two completely different things to form a justification for why he did what he did.
I doubt anyone in attendance on Sunday has ever sent abusive messages to Xhaka via social media, and he pretty much goaded the crowd into reaching the most vociferous level of booing.
That reaction, and his, is almost entirely on him and him alone.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You dont need to justify/clearify your opinion and not trying to undermine my statement.
The Xhaka incident and many others are symptomatic of what has gone wrong with the modern game. It's no longer a family sport, it's now a religion followed by extremists. What drives anyone to make death threats or act racist towards a footballer? I'm not Xhaka''s biggest fan, he is a bench player at best and nowhere near Arsenal captain material. But it's not his fault or choice that he is captain and starting. He is an indicator of how far we have declined as a club - from world class Vieira to clueless Xhaka in a decade.
comment by Grand Cannon (U18697)
posted 16 minutes ago
The Xhaka incident and many others are symptomatic of what has gone wrong with the modern game. It's no longer a family sport, it's now a religion followed by extremists. What drives anyone to make death threats or act racist towards a footballer? I'm not Xhaka''s biggest fan, he is a bench player at best and nowhere near Arsenal captain material. But it's not his fault or choice that he is captain and starting. He is an indicator of how far we have declined as a club - from world class Vieira to clueless Xhaka in a decade.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
But he is responsible for how he reacts on the pitch. Had he jogged of the pitch without reaction most of the abuse he got online would not have happen. There is a small minority that would have trolled him whatever happened. And its incredulous to believe that his blow up was because of them and making that excuse is what has undermined even this political apology. Aubameyang had received worse last season when he was winning the golden boot.
Secondly for me personally it doesnt needed a statement from my side. Constantly abused and his family send death threats lead to his reaction. People demanded him to apologise are spoilt praaaats who give it largely but can't take it back.
---------------------------------------
Some fans can't fathom it, of all clubs.
We have them too. Love to mouth off and abuse, either by keyboard or behind some hoardings, but when anyone replies in kind, they go running off to mummy.
Morons generally.
Sign in if you want to comment
Granit Xhaka statement
Page 3 of 5
posted on 1/11/19
He did need to apologise/ explain himself. The majority of fans aren’t like the miserable tŵáts who abuse his family, those supporters don’t deserve to be told to feck off and have their captain behave like that on the pitch.
I wouldn’t boo a player, it doesn’t really help and makes the fan base look bad. It’s not just arsenal fans, loads of fans do it, whoever does it isn’t a great look. But fans do have the right to express their feelings and boo if they want, but there is a line. Anything personal and directed at family is obviously way over that line, and anyone who gets that wound up about football are obviously very sad.
Xhaka also has right to respond to fans. How he did it was wrong as it made the club look bad, he inflamed the situation. If he just runs off, there is no boos. He is the captain and should realise his responsibilities. I totally understand his reaction on a human level, but as a captain and footballer you need to deal with it in different ways.
The majority of fans frustration isn’t personal with players, it’s us having to consistently watch repeated mistakes from players who just aren’t good enough for this level. It’s the same with mustafi. I can see both players do try hard, and care, but they just don’t cut it. It’s frustration with management who keep picking them!
posted on 1/11/19
comment by Lexington 125.2 (U8879)
posted 15 minutes ago
For me there are two mayor points (at least) to address.
Whilst the abuse Xhaka has 'suffered'online doesn't reflect well on us as a fan base, it's completely wrong of him to lump it into the booing he faced on Sunday - after yet another bang average performance by him, it should be added - and his reaction to what was a tactical substitution aimed at bring the club (of which he is the captain) a victory.
The second point is that a lot (though not all) of the negativity aimed at him is actually anti-Emery sentiment, rather than solely anti-Xhaka. Just as Ozil shouldn't take the cheers and songs being sung about him to mean that Arsenal fans all think he's instantly going to transform us into world beaters, Xhaka is kinda collateral damage in our disgruntlement with the manager, and his lack of... well, pretty much anything good.
This statement is in no way an 'apology'. Ironically had it been, I'd have doubted its authorship - at least this feels as if Xhaka had a big part in writing it.
In some ways this lack of backing down shows strength. But ultimately it feels very weak, and also pretty cowardly. He couldn't just admit he'd made a mistake, rather dragging up spurious reasons for why he did what he did.
It's shocking to me that such an average player is a first team regular for this club. That he is also its Captain is borderline horrific. Hopefully at least one of these things is now dealt with.
If not, I think we're in for even worse things to come this season.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
posted on 1/11/19
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 1/11/19
'The majority of fans frustration isn’t personal with players, it’s us having to consistently watch repeated mistakes from players who just aren’t good enough for this level.'
-----
Agreed. I understand why a player might have a different perspective of this point but, for me at least, there hasn't been a single player I can remember that's left Arsenal, with things having not worked out well whilst he was with us, and wished them ill fortune at their next club.
posted on 1/11/19
The cynic in me questions why the statement took so long. Conveniently timed after the comments by the Borussia Monchengladbach director of football.
posted on 1/11/19
Which comments are these?
posted on 1/11/19
Sorry but this statement is a joke. Even if I can understand where he’s coming from, which I do, he hasn’t actually apologised. He’s just explained and vindicated his actions instead. He’s also exposed himself as mentally weak, yea we know that footballers are human beings but you have to be prepared for abuse and ridicule at some stage, whether it be on the internet or at a game. This guy is meant to be our captain and he’s telling us all how fragile he is when he’s meant to be the leader.
But my anger isn’t directed at Xhaka this time. How the fuccckkk have the club not stripped him of the captaincy yet? To me it looks like they have no intention of taking it from him whatsoever. Every single person and their dogs knew that Xhaka being named captain was a joke at the time, the way he got it was a joke and that he’s kept it this long is a joke. And now they have a perfect opportunity to rectify the huge mistake they’ve made and refuse to take it.
posted on 1/11/19
'Xhaka [has] made more errors leading to goals than any player since 2016-17...'
This an expert from an article published following the 2:2 with Spurs earlier this season.
Yet Xhaka says he loves the club 'and always give 100% on and off the pitch'.
If he's so active on social media, it figures he surely must be aware of this stat. Yet apparently he can't see why he's unpopular with the fans.
That's pretty weird tbh.
posted on 1/11/19
^excerpt
posted on 1/11/19
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 1/11/19
As long as he's out of the squad long term and is sold in Jan then that's all that matters at this stage.
Nothing to do with his actions or this statement, it's to do with the years of awful performances
posted on 1/11/19
I don't think the fans need to apologise (apart from those online keyboard waaankers), and I don't think Xhaka needs to apologise. Which is why I accepted this statement.
Doesn't change the fact he's a crap player, and craptain. This is his 4th season as a regular starter now, it's a joke
People are saying online the German version of his statement is more apologetic. Whatever.
posted on 1/11/19
Emery will say he can't strip Xhaka of the captaincy, as it was the players' decision to award it to him, not his.
Another mess the manager has created.
posted on 1/11/19
'People are saying online the German version of his statement is more apologetic. Whatever.'
Amount to posters here that will care about the 'German version'...?
posted on 1/11/19
If we were blessed with world beaters in MF then yes, xhaka doesn't warrant a place in the team. However, Torreira, Willock or whoever you want to put in there is not good enough.
Yes fans are frustrated with him as a player but there is no justification for the vile abuse or booing him. That will create more friction and divisions between the fans and the players.
posted on 1/11/19
'People are saying online the German version of his statement is more apologetic. Whatever.'
-----
Again though this comes down to it not being the supporters' role to improve our Spanish to make Emery more understandable, or our (High) German to make Xhaka more relatable. These guys are the ones with the responsibility, as I'm sure both their bank-balances show.
posted on 1/11/19
comment by Castor Troy (U8700)
posted 2 minutes ago
If we were blessed with world beaters in MF then yes, xhaka doesn't warrant a place in the team. However, Torreira, Willock or whoever you want to put in there is not good enough.
Yes fans are frustrated with him as a player but there is no justification for the vile abuse or booing him. That will create more friction and divisions between the fans and the players.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Jog on Castor. If you can't tell that Xhaka at CM and CDM is worse than our other options then you're more clueless than I thought
posted on 1/11/19
So what are the other options? Torreira and Guendouzi? That garbage combo has never worked.
Ceballos, bar the first game, has been very poor
MF is terrible, why can't the fans see that
posted on 1/11/19
Reading some of this comments it showing one thing. Apology or not Xhaka can't do right here. Some have an agenda against him and he cant escape.
Secondly for me personally it doesnt needed a statement from my side. Constantly abused and his family send death threats lead to his reaction. People demanded him to apologise are spoilt praaaats who give it largely but can't take it back.
posted on 1/11/19
Tbh as soon as Holding is fully fit again (which hopefully isn't far off now) I'd stick Luiz into midfield until January, then see if we can offload Xhaka - maybe Torreira too if he really wants to go - and chuck some serious money at a proper DM.
Suspect that might be complicated by the fact that by then we'll be some way off the pace for a top 4 finish. Which is why we need Emery gone during the next international break.
posted on 1/11/19
'Constantly abused and his family send death threats lead to his reaction.'
-----
Like Xhaka you're mixing two completely different things to form a justification for why he did what he did.
I doubt anyone in attendance on Sunday has ever sent abusive messages to Xhaka via social media, and he pretty much goaded the crowd into reaching the most vociferous level of booing.
That reaction, and his, is almost entirely on him and him alone.
posted on 1/11/19
comment by Lexington 125.2 (U8879)
posted 58 seconds ago
'Constantly abused and his family send death threats lead to his reaction.'
-----
Like Xhaka you're mixing two completely different things to form a justification for why he did what he did.
I doubt anyone in attendance on Sunday has ever sent abusive messages to Xhaka via social media, and he pretty much goaded the crowd into reaching the most vociferous level of booing.
That reaction, and his, is almost entirely on him and him alone.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You dont need to justify/clearify your opinion and not trying to undermine my statement.
posted on 1/11/19
The Xhaka incident and many others are symptomatic of what has gone wrong with the modern game. It's no longer a family sport, it's now a religion followed by extremists. What drives anyone to make death threats or act racist towards a footballer? I'm not Xhaka''s biggest fan, he is a bench player at best and nowhere near Arsenal captain material. But it's not his fault or choice that he is captain and starting. He is an indicator of how far we have declined as a club - from world class Vieira to clueless Xhaka in a decade.
posted on 1/11/19
comment by Grand Cannon (U18697)
posted 16 minutes ago
The Xhaka incident and many others are symptomatic of what has gone wrong with the modern game. It's no longer a family sport, it's now a religion followed by extremists. What drives anyone to make death threats or act racist towards a footballer? I'm not Xhaka''s biggest fan, he is a bench player at best and nowhere near Arsenal captain material. But it's not his fault or choice that he is captain and starting. He is an indicator of how far we have declined as a club - from world class Vieira to clueless Xhaka in a decade.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
But he is responsible for how he reacts on the pitch. Had he jogged of the pitch without reaction most of the abuse he got online would not have happen. There is a small minority that would have trolled him whatever happened. And its incredulous to believe that his blow up was because of them and making that excuse is what has undermined even this political apology. Aubameyang had received worse last season when he was winning the golden boot.
posted on 1/11/19
Secondly for me personally it doesnt needed a statement from my side. Constantly abused and his family send death threats lead to his reaction. People demanded him to apologise are spoilt praaaats who give it largely but can't take it back.
---------------------------------------
Some fans can't fathom it, of all clubs.
We have them too. Love to mouth off and abuse, either by keyboard or behind some hoardings, but when anyone replies in kind, they go running off to mummy.
Morons generally.
Page 3 of 5