GRANIT AXED
Why isn’t Granit Xhaka playing against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup tonight, and is he still Gunners’ captain?
ARSENAL are in Liverpool for their Carabao Cup fourth round clash - but will be without Granit Xhaka.
The Gunners are up against a Reds side who are in sparkling form and will have to get a result without usual captain Xhaka after dramatic events against Crystal Palace.
2
Why is Granit Xhaka not playing for Arsenal tonight?
THE SWISS midfielder was a surprise pick for skipper by Unai Emery when he was announced captain earlier this season.
Xhaka's performances had suffered through the last year and it was a shock for some fans that the Spaniard placed his trust in a midfielder many fans believe doesn't justify a starting berth.
Boss Emery has a five-man leadership team and has always believed that Xhaka was the right man to lead them forward - but that may have to change with intense pressure from fans.
The Swiss midfielder now even more unpopular on the terraces after a staggering meltdown against Palace, which means he won't be appearing against Liverpool in the last-16 of the Carabao Cup.
After his side surrendered yet another two-goal lead, Xhaka was subbed and roundly booed by a section of the Gunners support.
He responded by appearing to tell fans to "f*** off" as the atmosphere soured at the Emirates - with Emery since revealing that his skipper is devastated by the backlash.
2
The Arsenal boss revealed: "I spoke with Granit on Sunday, on Monday and again in training and it is not easy for him.
"I don’t need his apology to me because I know he is devastated. He has a great commitment with the club every day.
"He has the values, the experience and the respect of the dressing room. He has the conditions to be the captain and all the players respect that.
"But he was wrong on Sunday and that was not the response of a captain."
Due to the circumstances, Emery confirmed in his Monday press conference that Xhaka would not take to the field against Liverpool.
And it's since been revealed that Arsenal have offered counselling to the midfielder and Emery must decide if he is mentally fit to play against Wolves at the weekend.
MOST READ IN SPORT
Is he still Gunners' captain?
CURRENTLY Xhaka is still officially skipper at the Emirates.
But fans - including Piers Morgan - have called on him to be stripped of the captaincy after the dramatic outburst.
And the Arsenal boss refused to be drawn on whether he would do this during his pre-match press conference for the Liverpool clash.
For Wednesday nights trip to Afield, Emery has even mooted the idea of Mesut Ozil being brought in from the cold and handed the armband for the evening.
Asked about keeping Xhaka on as captain, Emery, who confirmed it was always part of his plan to drop the Swiss star, said: "First we recover him as a human.
"It is not easy for him and for the team. He is now devastated, sad."
Topics