X -RATED ABUSE

Gunners fall guy Xhaka reveals how a few hot-headed fans have even attacked his family on social media

GRANIT XHAKA has a love-hate relationship with Arsenal fans.

Xhaka has often been the fall guy for every defeat and setback since it reached boiling point in 2019.

Gunners midfielder Xhaka infamously threw his shirt away, told fans to “f*** off ” (right) after they cheered when he was substituted against Crystal Palace and was stripped of the captaincy by former boss Unai Emery.

But that can never excuse his treatment by a section of so-called supporters on social media. With every defeat or bad moment comes unforgivable insults and threats.

They hide behind keyboards and send abuse at not just a player but his family. But Xhaka (right) is strong enough to come through it.

He said: “I’m not the guy who is scared to play in front of our fans. I love the club and respect the people around it. I wish we could play with the fans because they could push us more and more. But hopefully things can change and we have the fans back, to work together, to see we’re improving.

“You read the messages but in the end, you have to accept what people think and write. You can’t give them an answer, as they are waiting for this. “The problem is only if you lose. It’s not a problem when you win. If you lose everyone hates you, everyone is writing things where it’s not possible to understand how they write stuff like this.

“Of course, you can criticise or say what you want about football, but not about the person or their family.” Xhaka was on his way out under Emery, but Mikel Arteta persuaded him to stay. Xhaka, 28, added: “I never give up. I believe I can be the right man for the club. I will always give everything for this club.” Arsenal face a challenge to get into Europe next season via a domestic finish, making the Europa League potentially a last chance. Boss Arteta said: “The Europa League now becomes a huge competition, an opportunity to win a trophy, and we’re going for it.”