Arsenal boss Unai Emery insists midfielder still has a future at the club
Arsenal manager Unai Emery has insisted that troubled midfielder Granit Xhaka still has a future at the club and will be considered for selection in the Gunners upcoming fixture against Southampton.
Xhaka has yet to feature for the North London side since his confrontation with the club’s supporters at the Emirates in Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.
The Swiss midfielder was booed whilst being substituted which triggered the 27-year-old, who responded by cupping his ears and swearing at the section of fans who were jeering him.
He threw the captain’s armband to the floor and quickly took the Arsenal shirt off before storming into the changing rooms.
Following the incident, Emery had no choice but to strip Xhaka from captaincy, which was then handed over to star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Swiss international posted an explanation on social media citing his anger at threats to his family to cause the trigger to his verbal assault on the fans.
It has been reported that the enigmatic midfielder has been house hunting in Italy as rumours to a move to AC Milan in the January transfer window strengthened.
Odds for Granit Xhaka’s Next Club
3/1- AC Milan
10/1- Borussia Monchengladbach
11/1- Newcastle
12/1- West Ham
12/1- Atletico Madrid
The midfielder is 1/1 to leave the club but the bookies think that the likelihood of the former captain staying is higher, with the odds of him staying at Arsenal being set at 8/11.
Xhaka still harbours some feelings over the way the Gunners handled the situation, especially the decision to strip him from captaincy, but is ready to make amends and move on.
The deep-lying playmaker was selected for Switzerland for the international break and scored in a 6-1 win over Gibraltar to help confirm his country’s spot in next years European championships.
Emery is willing to do the same as Xhaka and has stated that the midfielder’s mindset is becoming better over the coming days and thus, is going to consider the midfielder for selection.
The Gunners have been struggling this season under the Spaniard with Xhaka being one of the mainstays in the side prior to the incident against the Eagles.
Arsenal sit in 6th place in the Premier League but are well adrift of a top-four place currently. Only three points will do for the supporters especially considering the poor form of their opponents.
The Saints are currently in 19th place, just one point ahead of Norwich and have lost four of their last five league matches.
