Arsenal won’t punish Xhaka for Crystal Palace meltdown at moment over fears for his fragile state of mind
ARSENAL will not take disciplinary action against Granit Xhaka because they have concerns about his fragile mental state.
The Gunners skipper is refusing to apologise for telling supporters to “f*** off” as they booed him while he was susbstituted against Crystal Palace.
A club insider confirmed that the 27-year-old has become increasingly dejected by the abuse he has received in recent weeks, both on the pitch and on social media.
And Unai Emery insists that the question of Xhaka’s continuing captaincy takes second place to his mental wellbeing.
He said: “I spoke with Granit on Sunday, on Monday and again in training and it is not easy for him.
“I don’t need his apology to me because I know he is devastated. He is very down and we need to support him.
“He has a great commitment with the club every day. He has the values, the experience and the respect of the dressing room. He has the conditions to be the captain and all the players respect that.
“But he was wrong on Sunday and that was not the response of a captain.”
Xhaka’s Gunners pal Lucas Torreira was pictured in tears over the incident on Sunday.
And Emery confirmed the captain will be out of the firing line against Liverpool tonight – as he always planned to rest him in the Carabao Cup.
Now he must decide if Xhaka is in the right frame of mind to return for Saturday’s Premier League game against Wolves at the Emirates.
Emery has had a series of heart-to-heart discussions with Xhaka since Sunday, and the club have offered him counselling.
But the player is in no mood to back down after finding himself the subject of a sustained hate campaign from a section of the Gunners fans.
His boss still expects the midfielder to say sorry but admits he could need time to get to grips with his feelings.
Emery explained: “We suggested he gave an apology. But in his mind he is not ready to do that because he is devastated inside.
“He is very upset. Granit knows he was wrong and when we make mistakes we need to apologise.
“But he feels that the supporters don’t like him, so now he needs to feel the love of his family, his friends and everybody else. But at the moment he is not feeling that with the supporters.”