Granit Xhaka is finished at Arsenal and former captain is likely to get January transfer, former Gunners star Perry Groves tells talkSPORT
Arsenal favourite Perry Groves has told talkSPORT he believes Granit Xhaka should consider leaving the Emirates in January after being stripped off the captaincy by Unai Emery.
The manager's decision comes after the midfielder's incredible outburst at his own fans as he was substituted during the 2-2 draw at home to Crystal Palace on October 27.
There looks to be no way back for Xhaka, who secured the captaincy courtesy of a player vote, with striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang confirmed as his replacement.
And speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, Groves, who himself was subjected to criticism by Gunners fans during his playing days in north London, believes the writing is on the wall as far as Xhaka's Arsenal career is concerned.
He said: "I think his time at Arsenal is over. I believe they'll come to an agreement [in January].
"On a personal level and a human level he's in a really bad way. It's really hurt him.
"I was booed by Arsenal fans and it's like being disowned by your family. But his reaction was wrong. He should have just apologised, and said I reacted in the wrong way.
"If you say 'but', it weakens the apology. He needs to move in January, and find pastures new."
The former Gunners striker said Emery was wrong to hand Xhaka the captaincy in the first place, after the squad voted in favour of the midfielder in the poll.
Such is the damage that has been done during this sorry episode, Groves doubts whether the 27-year-old can get his fans back onside again.
"First and foremost when Emery asked the players who they wanted to be captain, that was wrong," he added.
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"In those cases you vote for your mate don't you? Or if not you vote for someone who has brought a bag of sweets in - it's like being back at school.
"He's clearly very popular in the dressing room, there's no doubting that.
"When I was getting booed by the Arsenal fans I could win them back because I ran around a lot and put the effort in.
"I closed someone down or threw myself into a tackle - Xhaka's not that sort of player, though."