Granit Xhaka in angry confrontation with Arsenal fans in street after FA Cup defeat to Manchester United
Midfielder told fans to 'shut up' and had to wind up his window after some criticised his performance
Midfielder told fans to 'shut up' and had to wind up his window after some criticised his performance
GRANIT XHAKA was involved in an ugly confrontation with Arsenal fans as he drove away from the Emirates after crashing out of the FA Cup.
The midfielder had just featured for the Gunners as they fell to a 3-1 home defeat to Manchester United in the fourth round tie.
And the 26-year-old's night only got worse as he tried to make his way home.
Several Arsenal fans appeared to criticise the Swiss ace's performance on the street - somewhat surprising as he was far from the worst player on a miserable night in North London.
As fans continued to vent their anger, Xhaka told them to "shut up" before winding up his window.
There were some present showing support for the much-maligned midfielder with one fan shouting "we love you".
The player had earlier had another ugly confrontation - but this time it was on the pitch.
Xhaka got involved as a brawl broke out by the touchline, appearing to shove Jesse Lingard into the hoardings.
The melee broke out after Sead Kolasinac and Marcus Rashford went head-to-head, with the Gunners 3-1 down at the time.
Xhaka has failed to live up to his billing as one of Europe's best defensive midfielders since joining Arsenal for £30m from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016.
This season Xhaka, who has won 61 caps for Switzerland, scoring six times, has been shipped around boss Unai Emery's starting XI.
He has played centre-half after injuries to the likes of Laurent Koscielny, Sokratis, Konstantinos Mavropanos and Rob Holding.
And he has also been switched to full-back to help out.
Alexis Sanchez returned to haunt his old club with the opening goal in the Red Devils' away victory.
In his first appearance back at the Emirates Stadium since swapping north London for Old Trafford a year ago, Sanchez silenced the inevitable boos to help continue Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's remarkable start as United's interim manager.
Sanchez and Jesse Lingard scored within two minutes of each other in the first half but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang replied just before halftime to set up an engrossing second half.
Arsenal suffered injury blows, with defenders Sokratis and Laurent Koscielny both being forced off, although they pushed hard for an equaliser in the second period.
But United, who are second behind Arsenal in all-time FA Cup wins with 12, absorbed the pressure.
And they sealed an eighth successive win for Solskjaer in the 82nd minute when substitute Anthony Martial tapped home after a counter-attack.