Hector Bellerin has urged Arsenal players to stick together as tensions continue to boil over the Granit Xhaka saga.

The Switzerland international was stripped of the captaincy after a public outburst in which he told Arsenal fans to "fuck off" during a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace last month.

Reports have strongly suggested that Xhaka, who has not played a Premier League game since the incident, will leave the club over the January transfer window.

Speaking about the dressing room environment at the Emirates, Bellerin told The Sun: "It's been hard as a player in the dressing room to deal with these situations.

"I think it's important as a club, as everything being divided is never the way forward. I think the [right] way is accepting who we are, what we have, getting everyone together, supporting each other, and that is the way that we can reach our goals."

It is claimed that AC Milan are favourites to sign Xhaka, although Newcastle United are also said to be interested in bringing the midfielder to the club on a loan basis.

Members of the Arsenal dressing room are said to be angry at manager Unai Emery for his handling of the Xhaka situation.