Granit Xhaka’s best friend slams Arsenal’s ‘fickle tourist fans’ for booing club captain before shocking backlash
GRANIT XHAKA'S best pal has blasted Arsenal fans for criticising their controversy-hit captain - branding them fickle tourists.
Swiss footballer Patrik Dibrani, who has known Xhaka since he was ten, insisted the midfielder is paying the price for the Gunners' poor recent seasons.
Xhaka, 26, faces being stripped of the club captaincy by Unai Emery after appearing to tell Arsenal fans to "f*** off" when being jeered on Sunday.
He also ripped off his shirt and gestured as he was replaced during the 2-2 home draw with Crystal Palace.
Dibrani came through FC Basel's youth side with Xhaka. He now plays for his hometown club, fifth-tier SC Zofingen.
The 27-year-old said: "It hurts me a great deal. Granit is like a brother to me.
"I understand that he did not react well to the booing. But if you are a true fan of your club it is like a love affair.
"You have to be there for each other in the bad times as well as the good. There should be no place for booing your own players.
"I spoke on the phone to Granit after the game. He's not in a good place - he is grief-stricken.
"He regretted his actions straight away. He is an emotional person.
"But the fans and the English media are quick to bury him. He is at an age when he can make mistakes, and only human.
"I think the fans who slaughter him are tourists. They are not genuine supporters.
"Granit does everything for his football. He had a personal trainer, and missed out on partying.
"Then he gets abused in the stadium and on social media. The comments are below the belt.
"At Basel he was an undisputed first-teamer aged 18, and he was Borussia Monchengladbach's youngest ever captain.
"Now he gets slaughtered without mercy. It is not fair.
"Swiss people have to be proud that one of us is captain of one of the world's biggest clubs.
"But the blame for Arsenal's entire situation is being placed on Granit's shoulders.
"I am a Manchester United fan, and both they and Arsenal have been off the top of English football for five or six years.
"Both clubs are simply not as good as Liverpool or Manchester City."
Dibrani and Xhaka sport matching wrist tattoos reading "Bob 92.";
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Dibrani added: "My mother died in July, when Granit was on a pre-season tour of the US with Arsenal.
"We wept over the phone, and he showed incredible concern for my grief.
"So that is why I am standing by his side now. As his best friend I'll always be by his side."