Arsenal

Charlie Nicholas: 'Granit Xhaka has no future at Arsenal'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 28 October 2019

Nicholas: 'Xhaka has no future at Arsenal'

Former Arsenal player Charlie Nicholas claims that Granit Xhaka has no future at the Gunners after his angry reaction towards supporters on Sunday.

Charlie Nicholas has claimed that Granit Xhaka has no future at Arsenal after his angry outburst towards supporters on Sunday afternoon.

Fans cheered when Xhaka was substituted in the second half against Crystal Palace, leading to the midfielder making a number of negative gestures when walking off the pitch.

While Unai Emery will allegedly hold talks regarding Xhaka's future as captain with the rest of his squad, Nicholas does not expect to see the Switzerland international play for the club again.

The Scot told Sky Sports News: "He's obviously a team player in some category but the actions that we saw on Sunday are just unacceptable. Xhaka may be current captain but I don't think he will be captain anymore after what he did at the weekend. The fact that he didn't instantly apologise to the fans about his behaviour tells you that he's probably upset and angry.

"I would imagine it's a horrible feeling being in the position he's in right now, but that anger must be controlled. To be a footballer of any significance, especially at the higher level, if you don't have a thick skin to take some criticism, then you are not a footballer.

"You cannot live at the top end because you may get a lot of compliments, but you don't think the likes of Messi and Ronaldo ever get criticised? Everybody does at some point.

"He's representing Arsenal as a captain and it is unacceptable to think you're as big as anything at the club. His behaviour was atrocious, and I don't see him having a future at the club."

Arsenal are next in action when they face Liverpool in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.