The Swiss midfielder has opened up on the incident which saw him stripped of his captaincy duties earlier in the summer.
Granit Xhaka insists his fallout with Arsenal supporters during a struggle with Crystal Palace was a”mistake”, and he’s now excited to”look forward” and concentrate on his future at Emirates Stadium.
Xhaka’s time in Arsenal appeared to be ending after he reacted angrily to abuse in the stands while being substituted during a 2-2 home draw against Palace back in October.
The 27-year-old told fans to”f*ck away” prior to making his way down the tunnel and has been subsequently relieved of their captain’s armband by Unai Emery.
The Spanish head coach also dropped the Switzerland global after the incident, but he has gradually rebuilt his career at the Emirates since the birth of Mikel Arteta, who inherited the managerial reigns in December.
Arteta made it crystal clear Xhaka was a significant part of his plans going forward, and the midfielder has been a routine in Arsenal’s starting lineup because of the new year.
Xhaka says he had never experienced such”hatred” out of his own fans before but admits he was guilty of overreacting and is now eager to put the entire ugly episode behind him.
“These whistles against me, this hatred, that was brand new for me,” the Arsenal star told Sport 1. “What happened happened. You can’t undo it. Maybe it was a mistake and either side overreacted to some extent.
“That’s done for me, you need to appear ahead today, inspire yourself favorably in the current situation, and do not get caught up in the negative.
“As I wrote in my statement back as a staff, the club, and the fans, we ought to work together hand in hand towards another game and the challenges ahead with mutual esteem and in memory of exactly what makes us love this game.”
Hertha Berlin was touted as the most likely next destination for Xhaka after he was linked with a move from Arsenal in January, but he opted to stay in North London having already started to repair relations with the lovers.
“It was really no more an issue for me,” he added. “Yes, there was contact and also an offer, but in the end, I decided to remain here in London.
‘Following three and a half a year I did not cancel everything that I had built up. I am now focusing on it together with my strength and motivation and hope that we can return on the pitch shortly.”
