Former Arsenal player Granit Xhaka opens up on being booed off by Arsenal fans

Bayer Leverkusen's Granit Xhaka

Former Arsenal player Granit Xhaka opens up on being booed off by Arsenal fans

Stephen Oladehinde 20:30 - 15.07.2023

Granit Xhaka acknowledged that hearing his own supporters boo him in 2019 gave him even more strength and the opportunity to show his personality.

The new Bayer Leverkusen signing was stripped of the leadership and dropped from the matchday squad when he removed his armband during a match against Crystal Palace in 2019 in response to boos from the crowd.

The Switzerland international claims that miscommunication between the supporters and him was the cause of the conflict.

However, he was able to rebuild his reputation to become a well-liked and respected player at the Emirates four years later, and now he's left to join Bayer Leverkusen for £21.5 million.

Granit Xhaka moves to Leverkusen
Granit Xhaka moves to Leverkusen

Xhaka on fans boo

Granit Xhaka was booed by Arsenal fans some years back and almost saw his career go down the drain.

Speaking with Blick, as reported by Daily Mail, he said, “I was Arsenal captain in 2019. Then came this story with the fans. I never had any problems with the boys and the club. 

“It was more a misunderstanding between the fans and me. Coming back to Arsenal like that afterwards gave me even more strength.

“I was able to show what personality is in me. I don't like talking about myself. But you can also praise yourself if the journalists don’t praise you that much. Seriously, you learn from things like that.”

Xhaka became stronger 

The former Arsenal midfielder said that the boo of the fans turned him into a stronger person and later made the fans like him.

Still speaking, Xhaka said, “You get stronger. In the end, I was allowed to leave to great applause. That was my number one goal. 

“Am I a ready leader? I would not say that. I'm sure I'll still make mistakes, that's part of it. But certainly, less than before.”

The midfielder made 297 appearances over six seasons in north London, demonstrating his steady value to the team despite tense relationships.