cut him slack
Granit Xhaka is a ‘good guy’ who is ‘doing everything’ for Arsenal, insists Switzerland team-mate Fabian Schar
Granit Xhaka's international team-mate Fabian Schar has leapt to the defence of the under-fire Arsenal star.
The Gunners captain's future at the club is under huge threat following his actions while he was substituted during their draw with Crystal Palace last weekend.
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Some Arsenal fans cheered at seeing Xhaka's number come up in the 61st minute at the Emirates Stadium, and he responded by cupping his ear to the crowd before allegedly telling them to 'f*** off' and storming down the tunnel.
Manager Unai Emery told talkSPORT Xhaka was 'wrong' for the way he reacted, however he has yet to apologise for his actions and was left out of Arsenal's squad in the defeat at Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
But Newcastle ace Schar, who plays alongside Xhaka with Switzerland, insists the midfielder is a 'good guy' and is 'doing everything' for the club.
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Schar 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.
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“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 went on to say how Xhaka, who is also the captain of the national side, is very popular among the Swiss fans.
He added: "He [Xhaka] has a much better standing in Switzerland. 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.”
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