Newcastle star Schar shocked by Arsenal fans treatment of Xhaka and insists Swiss pal is ‘doing everything’ for Gunners
FABIAN SCHAR is shocked by Arsenal fans’ treatment of “good guy” Granit Xhaka - and fears his Switzerland team-mate will find it hard to bounce back.
Gunners skipper Xhaka, 27, was booed off by his own supporters when he was subbed during last Sunday’s draw with Crystal Palace.
The defender reacted by cupping his ear to the crowd and telling them to “f*** off”, with his boss Unai Emery saying he should apologise.
Xhaka has been offered counselling by Arsenal and missed Wednesday’s Carabao Cup penalty shoot-out defeat at Liverpool.
And Newcastle defender Schar feels for his close pal over the fan backlash which he admits is the "worst thing" that can happen to a player.
The Toon’s Swiss star, 27, said: “I played with him for years and I know how he is as a person.
“He’s doing everything for Arsenal, which is why he’s captain.
“He’s a very good guy and people aren’t seeing this.
“I will see him in a couple of weeks with the international team and I’ll give him a hug.
“It’s very hard for a player when your own fans are against you.
“Then you do something emotional that people don’t understand.
“It would be a very difficult situation for any player to have to deal with that.
“To have that from your own fans is the worst thing that can happen to you.
“Nobody wants to see things like this. I’m happy that this has never happened to me.”
Schar says Xhaka’s treatment at the Emirates is a far cry from back home, where he is worshipped after helping Switzerland into the last 16 of last year’s World Cup.
He added: “He has a much better standing in Switzerland.
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“It’s seen as a big thing that he’s captain of both his country and Arsenal.
“He’s doing a great job for us. I know how he is and how he feels.
“I can really understand him and I’m feeling for him.”