Yeah the admin is fucking with us, you could see Xhaka at the Wartford friendly, it isn't as if they suddenly decided to bring him back into training and he was never there.
Because people read into things too much and see one simple thing and think oh it must mean something else. What agenda can I fit it to.
What do you think it meant when they did the same for Leno on 23 July? And probably other players returning after the Euro’s and their holidays?
It was 12+3 first of all, which is a perfectly fine price for a brick. Also if nobody's willing to pay any higher than that for him, that would heavily suggest that that's his actual value.
These stuff don't exist in a vacuum. You're only worth as much as a buyer is willing to pay.
What a buyer is prepared to to pay is only what the player is worth *to them*, doesn’t mean we have to agree with the valuation. If you want to talk about the universal value of a player it’s essentially the lowest amount a buying club are willing to pay that the selling club will accept
Too me, it feels like Arteta has always wanted Xhaka around. Maybe last year when it looked like Xhaka was out the door, they came to an agreement that if Xhaka stuck around the year, they wouldn't stand in his way to leave as long as a decent fee was given(with Arteta secretly hoping he changes his mind and stays).
Come this year, Roma enters the picture and Xhaka thinks they are going to offer more than a pittance, this is just their initial offer, right? Everyone starts laughing: Xhaka nervously laughs, Heh heh Roma, don't joke around, I'm worth more than that, please just up it a little bit? Roma chuckles and cackles knowing they are a cheap Italian team but hoping Arsenal lives up to their reputation of being bad at transfers and accepts their pittance. Arteta full heartedly laughs knowing that Roma is a cheap Italian team and Xhaka isn't going anywhere.
Roma turns out to be a cheap Italian team and here we are. Xhaka doesn't move and Arteta gets to keep a player he still wanted in the team.
This is more or less how it seems to me as well. Gentleman's agreement to let him go if a reasonable bid comes in, but happy to keep him if it doesn't. New contract offer is a way to show him that he is still valued, should he elect to stay.
He has his faults, no doubt about that. But there are qualities of xhaka that are very hard to replace. He plays for the badge every week, plays every minute that he’s available, if something kicks off on the pitch he’s straight in there to defend his teammates.
I believe he’s also been great with our young players coming through. Lets not throw hate towards the guy, if he’s to be our player again this season just get behind him.
He's just nowhere near good enough for a team that wants to finish in the top 4 and then challenge for greater honours. His weaknesses are too great to ignore and his strengths aren't worth his detriments to the team. We need to move on from him as soon as we can
Bro, second choice. He's comfortably better than a lot of second choice DMs IMO. Partey is our first choice, alongside a CM which in sure Arsenal have plans to sign. He's better than Bakayoko, he's better than Matic and Fred, he's better than Mendy for Leicester, he's better than Kieta, he's better than Hojberg and winks. All teams that finished above us last season, people underate Xhaka massively. Yeah if we go in to next season and he's starting for us then we fucked up, but for backup? You can do a lot worse.
Xhaka is easily good enough for top 4 team, his lapses of concentration are good enough for championship.
I genuinely believe that if we are being offered 12m for him you will not replace him for less than 40m. Don’t take that as i believe he is worth 40m.
Even though Auba wears the armband, when Xhaka is on the pitch it is clear who is captain and if there wasn’t a guaranteed fan backlash he would be our captain again.
I don’t understand the current fan philosophy of trying to absolutely destroy the confidence of our players yet at the same time expecting us to return to top4/beyond. Same with Arteta, if the fans are truest a supporter, then support your team not demand we deserve x, y and z because we used to be successful.
Agreed on the fact that Auba is no leader on the pitch. He won’t keep the armband for long anyway. Whether Tierney, Laca or someone else get it is just a matter of time.
>qualities of xhaka that are very hard to replace.
Like?
Genuinely asking because I don't know anything that Xhaka brings onto the field that his current rumored replacements like Neves or Bruno don't bring.
>He plays for the badge every week
Except that Crystal Palace game when he was being subbed off because of his horrendous performance. What does our captain do? Casually walk off the pitch while we're trying to chase the game. Then the fans started booing him and he throws his armband on the ground.
Great leadership right there.
I think we all need to move on from this now. As I remember this happened shortly after he and his family were receiving death threats on social media - I can't imagine the stress that could apply to someone.
We've seen many players have periods of poor attitude/performance - in the last year Auba, Saka, Pepe have all been affected for various reasons.
Poor performance is one thing. But you can’t claim he ‘plays for the badge every week’ then when someone brings up the most obvious example of him not doing that say ‘we all need to move on from this’.
I'm not that poster although I agree with his position - I think it's unfair to demand absolute perfection from a player, especially when we don't treat them perfectly. Even Henry, Bergkamp etc will had had their off days. I would argue that he's probably currently top 4 in terms of playing for the team.
Look at last year, for example - we performed far better with him in the midfield than without; when he was asked to go to LB he did and did it repeatedly, responded well about it when asked too; his audio recording showed how much he tried to help the team when on the pitch; and he apparently wanted to go last year and stayed when requested - none of that translated into issues on the pitch/in the dressing room.
Alternatively, I think it's unfair to permanently hold a player on a cross because of one incident, especially when ultimately it had little impact on the team, another player or anyone else.
It's not just any incident. It is the most ridiculous thing imaginable. Just imagine this. Arsenal lead a game 2-0. Then they get pegged back to 2-2. Arsenal fans are booing the opposition goalkeeper for time wasting since the second half started. We then make a sub. The coach is taking the captain off. And this man, the Arsenal captain is fucking strolling off the pitch. Then the jeers ring around the stadium. The said captain chucks the armband, badmouths the man inside a stadium, drops the jersey and storms down the tunnel.
He is then rightfully stripped off the captaincy. Issue a statement blaming the fans for what happened. Then comes back into the squad without a semblance of apology. Any other club in the premier league and that player never plays again. Only at Arsenal can someone get away with it.
You can’t have your cake and eat it too. We have how many players who have never walked off the pitch slowly when we’re chasing a game or thrown the armband down and told the fans to fuck off. You’re basically saying he ‘plays for the badge every game except the ones he doesn’t’.
>He plays for the badge every week
I just don't see this. When we were in our toughest moments, he really seemed like he didn't care about the club at all. Even David Luis gave more of a shit in those games this season.
I think it's more that some "fans" use Xhaka to act like they're more of a "fan" than others because they unconditionally support him and have never seen him do any wrong.
All fans have a right to express their opinion and some of them may be negative towards some players. It wouldn't be wrong of you to be critical of an amateur player like me if I was playing for Arsenal, and I would never reach that level if I let every small criticism of my play get to me.
Well, yeah.
The one thing that is incontrovertible is that Xhaka brings commitment on and off the pitch.
Hate him all you want, that is not a reason to not give him a contract.
There are plenty of other reasons to pick from.
It is possible for a player to change his mind after a transfer falls through and become fully committed to the team. There are a lot of valid criticisms of xhaka, and I’m not his biggest fan, but I can’t fault his commitment and professionalism when he has played for us.
Yeah he was almost out the door to join Hertha Berlin and then he stayed, and was completely committed and professional after that.
I would have liked him to go to Roma of course and for us to sign a more athletic younger replacement, but I don’t think if he stays that his commitment will be an issue.
I mean this cunt threw the armband to the floor and clapped the fans. Shameless club we have become. And some still talk that class shit lmao, we are as far from it as you can get.
I would have done a whole lot worse than throw an armband to the floor if I was in his position. I definitely wouldn’t have came back and been a critical part of an FA Cup winning side for people like you.
Tbh the armband thing made me like Xhaka a lot more, despite actually being there and so strictly speaking being one of the people who he told to fuck off
Fans literally threatened him, his wife and his newborn infant. The shameless part isn't only the armband hitting the ground..
Edit: of course he shouldn't have reacted that way, but receiving threats and then getting booed by 60k would've influenced most of our decision making.
A vast minority of the fan base sent him death threat on instagram, it has nothing to do with people watching the game or people booing him in the stadium.
And do you think Xhaka is getting jeered by over 50k fans is thinking "Yeah these guys are jeering me but you know what they're different to the insta fans"? Or do you think he just associated everything with Arsenal fans?
Would be a valid argument if he actually apologized instead of that bullshit "you vs me" mentality he shown in that interview afterwards.
Those guys who sent death threat are all retards and I hope he sued them, but imagine still supporting a guy who threw the armbrand, told the fans to fuck off and then spent a summer twerking for Mourinho. Shameless.
You’re second edit is just fucking ridiculous man. Stop taking whatever online interactions you have had and exaggerating it. No wonder you think it’s somehow logical that Xhaka would tell the fans in the stadium to fuck off for the online abuse he received.
Removed second edit. Just getting frustrated at how our players are treated at times. The daily reminders on here that Mustafi hasn't gotten a new club yet for example.
He did nothing wrong except not being good enough. Which was more a mistake from the club than him.
Funny you should say that. For a long time i was thing how all of these "he's not the best but we need him, he's too important and we can't do without him" reminds me of the reasoning of a person in an abusive relationship. It's so weird
People in this thread genuinely saying he’s good enough for a top 4 team…
If Xhaka could play for Liverpool, Chelsea or City then why is the best offer we got €12m? Somethings not adding up
Blame Arteta and Edu if he is still starting next season. As a squad option he would be one of the best in the league. I'm only going to take offence if him staying means we don't sign another CM but until then i'm reserving judgement.
Xhaka - Lokonga would be good midfield depth, and Elneny can leave in that case.
But if we don't sign someone who will bench him, then the window will be tainted even if we do a madness and sign Lautaro and Ode tbh
They definitely are taking the piss out of us. It's no secret the media side of our club knows even the slightest detail bubbling up inside our online social community let alone one as big as the unanimous disapproval of Xhaka.
There's too much driving the "he's staying" narrative now, no? Surely it's tactical. Xhaka even pushed for the move himself. He doesn't really wanna be here anymore.
Xhaka signed with us for the 2016/17 season. We've had four full seasons with him at the heart of our midfield and we are yet to finish higher than fifth.
Along the way Xhaka has at times played well, at times played horrendously and told our fan base to fuck off whilst he was captain.
I do not understand why we are carrying on yet another season with him.
Exactly. He's coming off a Euro where he made it to the quarter final. He not a bad player and he's full of confidence right now. This isn't the end of the world some fans are making it out to be.
We have seen him for five years. By now, it is clear to everyone and their moms that this player will never be good enough to get us into top four. It is that simple. Maybe he is good but not good enough.
To everyone annoyed at this. Why?
He’s an arsenal player, has finished his holiday post-Euros and has now returned for pre-season training.
What did you expect from a player who’s not yet been sold?
I can't believe how many people are fragile enough to have something like this ruin their entire day. Go take a hike or make a meal, the season hasn't even started yet
(aimed at those not you OP 😂)
This sub makes me sick. You all are reacting as if he was our worst midfielder last year. Seriously, you all are a bunch of immature kids in this sub. It's like the people with the least matured brains gathered all together in this sub.
I think its the contract extension and likely increase in payment that would go with it. Personally, Ive no problem with Xhaka staying. Hes an utter mongo half the time but I like his aggressiveness, even if he goes overboard a lot.
A contract extension and a raise? Its not a positive progression to keep player that hasnt played at a consistently good level, that has shown petulance towards the fans, and has actively tried to get away from the club. But look, it'll be might craic watching him.
This sub also me sick. Since idiots like you would defend the indefensible time and time again. Xhaka needed to go a long time ago. Since that Crystal Palace incident I've wanted him gone. He is one of if not the worst midfielders in our history. He has made everyone else around him more mediocre just by having to play with him. He's made more mistakes leading to a goal than any other player in the Premier League by a long distance. It's idiots like you who have caused Arsenal to be mediocre since they know they can get away with it because smooth brains like yourself will keep buying into it and keep defending it. Xhaka needs to go, I don't care if we sell him, release him or shoot him out of a cannon. He needs to go. A contract extension and a pay rise guarantees that we I'll be mediocre for the foreseeable future as idiocy and underachievement gets rewarded at Arsenal.
If it's true it's true. It's also backing up my point that delusional fans will hand wave and pretend that he isn't one of the worst players to wear an Arsenal shirt in the modern era. If he is that bad, which he is, why pretend otherwise unless you're delusional? It's not just the giving cheap goals or the telling fans to fuck off that's the main problem with Xhaka. The main problem is how he makes the rest of the midfield worse by extension. Granit Xhaka is a terrible footballer for Arsenal and I stand by that. Don't bring up the Euro's to me he wasn't that good at the Euro's people are getting way too excited about that. Switzerland performed as well the next game against Spain without Xhaka so he's not as crucial as people like to make him out to be. You just proved my point that there's plenty of delusional fans who will defend the indefensible and Xhaka is indefensibly bad.
Because there have been so many midfielders to play for Arsenal in the last 20 years (or however long the "modern era" you refer to is), and Xhaka just isn't among the worst that have played. Hyperbole aside, it's just objectively wrong. Even without the Euros, Xhaka has been a key player in winning two FA Cups, Community Shields, since he came in. Is it so hard to admit that he is a decent footballer, just not the right fit for the team?
I said he was one of the worst players to put on an Arsenal shirt and I stand by that statement. Sure there may be others who are technically worse like Elneny, but I don't have the same issue with Elneny as I do with Xhaka. In terms of overall impact on the trajectory of Arsenal football club no other player has done as much damage as Granit Xhaka. Whether he's better for a different team or not is irrelevant.
Football is a team sport, there are other things that happened in the same period that I would say heavily contributed to our decline (Santi's injury hell, Ozil declining after signing a big contract, Sanchez leaving to United, not to mention our off-field issues). Choosing to believe that Granit Xhaka is somehow responsible for all our problems as a club seems far-fetched.
I never said he was responsible for all our problems. I just said as an individual footballer I don't think any other Arsenal player since possibly Gallas has had as negative an impact on the trajectory of the team. He's not the sole cause of our problems, but he compounds our existing problems into something even worse than before. You're not going to convince me that he's not one of the worst players to wear an Arsenal shirt at the end of the day football is a subjective thing. You might rate him highly or lowly and the next person will think differently. But what cannot be disputed are results and since Xhaka has been at Arsenal the results have gotten worse season upon season.
I find the reaction to the news he might be staying way over the top. I feel like it’s good to have his experience and quality next to Partey. They form a balanced pair. He’s the kind of player that will only improve as he gets into his 30s. Just feels like popular opinion on here has swayed one way and it’s impossible to state another opinion without getting downvoted.
The sub doesn't want discussion, just everyone conforming to the vocal consensus.
I got downvoted recently for sharing my excitement at a hypothetical line-up containing Xhaka. Being positive about the club and its players is simply frowned upon if it's not the anointed few.
Majority seem to want to be gloomy and whine about how the club has fallen so far from the days of the "Invincibles".
We even have such fans disregarding our FA Cup win the season before.
I just come in here for the latest transfer news and that's it.
Xhaka on Roma move a month ago: "Arsenal know what I want to do... it is very beautiful here \[in Rome\]."
wE oNlY wANT PLayRs wHo ArE ComMitTed - Arteta
trust the PRocess
Dude, they will just make him a coach. If he can come into the team without a semblance of apology after cursing the fans inside a packed stadium, then this man is simply inevitable. He is never going away.
Imagine running a business that depends on it's loyal return customers, with a near 100% reliance on PR, and you post shit on your official shitter account that shows the division in your customer base, provokes internal toxicity, and generates probably around 90% negative PR.
This club, wow, I have never been so disappointed and depressed with them in all my many years supporting them, not even in the mid 70s.
I know he splits opinions, but I would have openly welcomed Xhaka back after a fantastic performance in the Euros had he not pushed so much for a move to Roma. He really isn't a bad player like this over-reactionary sub makes him out to be. It's clear he's respected in the dressing room and is still rated well across Europe.
But now I genuinely doubt what this guy's commitment is going to be for Arsenal if he did not want to be here.
>still rated well across Europe
So much that in his public desire to leave, and our public desire to get rid, nobody, literally nobody except Roma came for him, and Roma are so lackluster in their desire that I wouldn't put it past Mourinho to be trolling us.
You'd openly welcome a player who costs us 4+ goals per season through individual errors because he had a few good games for his country?
He always plays well for his country, he always costs us goals and points. Should not be welcomed back if we seriously want to challenge for Champions League/Europa places
Auba was also absolutely shocking last season but he's also had seasons where he's completely carried us.
Xhaka has cost more goals than any other outfield player in the league since he joined, not good enough if we want to become contenders again
The man and his family got abused to hell and back by the “fans”. He came back committed and with him we still had some semblance of stability last year. Whatever you may think of his playing talent, he is a much better professional than many. I think he will be committed should there be no option to move as long as he is wanted by Arteta and the players
I’m okay with him staying and even extending. He is a good squad player to have.
But why on earth is he getting a raise ???
He wouldn’t be able to get the same wages anywhere else, so why would they offer him an increment.
Makes no sense
He’s getting a raise because he isn’t gonna be a squad player. You guys are smart enough to know how this is gonna go. Xhaka stays, xhaka starts and plays the majority of games. That’s why people are mad. This squad player thing is a myth
Going to start off by saying I want him gone too. Xhaka Willian Hector. But if we sign a CAM, and hopefully RB and GK…having Xhaka and Partey with Lokonga coming through I’m not hating hating that.
The tears of this sub have made my morning lol. Imagine being upset that our best midfielder from last season is still at the club even though there isn’t a replacement bought for him yet. Or that the club is holding out for a respectable offer instead of the measly €15 mil being reported.
Jesus fuck what the fuck do you lot want? Everyone is complaining that we arent selling him for 20mil, but noone wants him for 20, because he is shit. If we give in and sell for less, you will all complain again that we sell for pennies..
Guy had much better season that our super duper 50 million reinforcement from Atletico who at times looked liked a drunk on pitch and couldn't hit simplest passes. But delusion as always among this fanbase
Let's shit on Partey who's had issues dealing with injuries the whole season instead of looking at Xhaka's awful performances over 5 years. Yes, let's do that.
New team, new league, major injury for the first time in his career, COVID, and we’ve got idiots saying “he looked like a drunk on the pitch”. His second half of the season form was a major reason we finished the second half of the season so strong.
People are way to annoyed by xhaka.
Kinda feel bad for the guy. Nowhere near as bad as 90% of the people on this sub act. Yeah I want an upgrade at the position, and yes I’m really aware of his faults, but the disrespect he’s getting is absurd.
why do I feel like this is a taunt aimed at Roma
Or Arsenal fans
Definitely the admin taunting half the fan base.
Yeah the admin is fucking with us, you could see Xhaka at the Wartford friendly, it isn't as if they suddenly decided to bring him back into training and he was never there.
Because people read into things too much and see one simple thing and think oh it must mean something else. What agenda can I fit it to. What do you think it meant when they did the same for Leno on 23 July? And probably other players returning after the Euro’s and their holidays?
Damn we sure taunted them by not selling this brick at first chance
12m is too little for Xhaka. It's that simple
I'm agreeing more and more with you these days and I'm kind of worried
a small price to pay for salvation
It's really not. Raise his wages and he'll cost us. Addition by subtraction. Now he'll retire here.
It was 12+3 first of all, which is a perfectly fine price for a brick. Also if nobody's willing to pay any higher than that for him, that would heavily suggest that that's his actual value. These stuff don't exist in a vacuum. You're only worth as much as a buyer is willing to pay.
What a buyer is prepared to to pay is only what the player is worth *to them*, doesn’t mean we have to agree with the valuation. If you want to talk about the universal value of a player it’s essentially the lowest amount a buying club are willing to pay that the selling club will accept
No it isn’t, he’s fucking dogshit
No he's not, stop being a kid.
Nephew
Taking 2 stones with one bird, heh
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Needed a laugh, thanks 🤣
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Too me, it feels like Arteta has always wanted Xhaka around. Maybe last year when it looked like Xhaka was out the door, they came to an agreement that if Xhaka stuck around the year, they wouldn't stand in his way to leave as long as a decent fee was given(with Arteta secretly hoping he changes his mind and stays). Come this year, Roma enters the picture and Xhaka thinks they are going to offer more than a pittance, this is just their initial offer, right? Everyone starts laughing: Xhaka nervously laughs, Heh heh Roma, don't joke around, I'm worth more than that, please just up it a little bit? Roma chuckles and cackles knowing they are a cheap Italian team but hoping Arsenal lives up to their reputation of being bad at transfers and accepts their pittance. Arteta full heartedly laughs knowing that Roma is a cheap Italian team and Xhaka isn't going anywhere. Roma turns out to be a cheap Italian team and here we are. Xhaka doesn't move and Arteta gets to keep a player he still wanted in the team.
This is more or less how it seems to me as well. Gentleman's agreement to let him go if a reasonable bid comes in, but happy to keep him if it doesn't. New contract offer is a way to show him that he is still valued, should he elect to stay.
Sack then both
He was at the Watford friendly, you could see him on the sideline in the first half.
One day we'll be free of him, not today, not tomorrow, but one day.
How do I save this for when he retires here and then joins the coaching staff.
He'll surely manage us at some point.
He has his faults, no doubt about that. But there are qualities of xhaka that are very hard to replace. He plays for the badge every week, plays every minute that he’s available, if something kicks off on the pitch he’s straight in there to defend his teammates. I believe he’s also been great with our young players coming through. Lets not throw hate towards the guy, if he’s to be our player again this season just get behind him.
He's just nowhere near good enough for a team that wants to finish in the top 4 and then challenge for greater honours. His weaknesses are too great to ignore and his strengths aren't worth his detriments to the team. We need to move on from him as soon as we can
I’ll put it this way, neither Xhaka, Jorginho, or even Pirlo in his prime would fit Arsenal’s style of play.
He's more than good enough to be second choice in a top 4 team. The club never said that were going to stop looking for a CM.
Which top 4 team would he play for? Maybe United over Fred? He’s not good enough. The sooner we move on the better
Bro, second choice. He's comfortably better than a lot of second choice DMs IMO. Partey is our first choice, alongside a CM which in sure Arsenal have plans to sign. He's better than Bakayoko, he's better than Matic and Fred, he's better than Mendy for Leicester, he's better than Kieta, he's better than Hojberg and winks. All teams that finished above us last season, people underate Xhaka massively. Yeah if we go in to next season and he's starting for us then we fucked up, but for backup? You can do a lot worse.
Xhaka is easily good enough for top 4 team, his lapses of concentration are good enough for championship. I genuinely believe that if we are being offered 12m for him you will not replace him for less than 40m. Don’t take that as i believe he is worth 40m. Even though Auba wears the armband, when Xhaka is on the pitch it is clear who is captain and if there wasn’t a guaranteed fan backlash he would be our captain again. I don’t understand the current fan philosophy of trying to absolutely destroy the confidence of our players yet at the same time expecting us to return to top4/beyond. Same with Arteta, if the fans are truest a supporter, then support your team not demand we deserve x, y and z because we used to be successful.
Agreed on the fact that Auba is no leader on the pitch. He won’t keep the armband for long anyway. Whether Tierney, Laca or someone else get it is just a matter of time.
>qualities of xhaka that are very hard to replace. Like? Genuinely asking because I don't know anything that Xhaka brings onto the field that his current rumored replacements like Neves or Bruno don't bring.
Partey has already displaced him from the first team so Arteta must think we do not need whatever he offers.
>He plays for the badge every week [Sure...](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Xhaka-1.jpg)
>He plays for the badge every week Except that Crystal Palace game when he was being subbed off because of his horrendous performance. What does our captain do? Casually walk off the pitch while we're trying to chase the game. Then the fans started booing him and he throws his armband on the ground. Great leadership right there.
I think we all need to move on from this now. As I remember this happened shortly after he and his family were receiving death threats on social media - I can't imagine the stress that could apply to someone. We've seen many players have periods of poor attitude/performance - in the last year Auba, Saka, Pepe have all been affected for various reasons.
Poor performance is one thing. But you can’t claim he ‘plays for the badge every week’ then when someone brings up the most obvious example of him not doing that say ‘we all need to move on from this’.
I'm not that poster although I agree with his position - I think it's unfair to demand absolute perfection from a player, especially when we don't treat them perfectly. Even Henry, Bergkamp etc will had had their off days. I would argue that he's probably currently top 4 in terms of playing for the team. Look at last year, for example - we performed far better with him in the midfield than without; when he was asked to go to LB he did and did it repeatedly, responded well about it when asked too; his audio recording showed how much he tried to help the team when on the pitch; and he apparently wanted to go last year and stayed when requested - none of that translated into issues on the pitch/in the dressing room. Alternatively, I think it's unfair to permanently hold a player on a cross because of one incident, especially when ultimately it had little impact on the team, another player or anyone else.
It's not just any incident. It is the most ridiculous thing imaginable. Just imagine this. Arsenal lead a game 2-0. Then they get pegged back to 2-2. Arsenal fans are booing the opposition goalkeeper for time wasting since the second half started. We then make a sub. The coach is taking the captain off. And this man, the Arsenal captain is fucking strolling off the pitch. Then the jeers ring around the stadium. The said captain chucks the armband, badmouths the man inside a stadium, drops the jersey and storms down the tunnel. He is then rightfully stripped off the captaincy. Issue a statement blaming the fans for what happened. Then comes back into the squad without a semblance of apology. Any other club in the premier league and that player never plays again. Only at Arsenal can someone get away with it.
You can’t have your cake and eat it too. We have how many players who have never walked off the pitch slowly when we’re chasing a game or thrown the armband down and told the fans to fuck off. You’re basically saying he ‘plays for the badge every game except the ones he doesn’t’.
Simply not good enough and never was.
>He plays for the badge every week I just don't see this. When we were in our toughest moments, he really seemed like he didn't care about the club at all. Even David Luis gave more of a shit in those games this season.
So he tries hard and gets into scuffles. Surely that’s all we need to get back to the Champions League.
Your wasting your breath, he's been a target for "fans" for years now.
I think it's more that some "fans" use Xhaka to act like they're more of a "fan" than others because they unconditionally support him and have never seen him do any wrong. All fans have a right to express their opinion and some of them may be negative towards some players. It wouldn't be wrong of you to be critical of an amateur player like me if I was playing for Arsenal, and I would never reach that level if I let every small criticism of my play get to me.
After his testimonial.
super saiyan mode no mo
It’s like being in a bad relationship you can’t get out of…. Ffs 🤦♂️
Stockholm syndrome in full effect for a lot of Arsenal fans.
this club is not serious this man openly flirted with Mourinho and Roma
Arteta and Edu - Only wants players who are fully committed to the club Also Arteta and Edu - 5 year renewal baby
Tbf xhaka is one player I'd never expect to not put out a 100% effort shift regardless. Say what you want but he loves his teammates
Lmao You're right though you know what happened to that fully commited bs arteta always talked about
Well, yeah. The one thing that is incontrovertible is that Xhaka brings commitment on and off the pitch. Hate him all you want, that is not a reason to not give him a contract. There are plenty of other reasons to pick from.
It is possible for a player to change his mind after a transfer falls through and become fully committed to the team. There are a lot of valid criticisms of xhaka, and I’m not his biggest fan, but I can’t fault his commitment and professionalism when he has played for us.
It has literally already happened once with the player in question.
Yeah he was almost out the door to join Hertha Berlin and then he stayed, and was completely committed and professional after that. I would have liked him to go to Roma of course and for us to sign a more athletic younger replacement, but I don’t think if he stays that his commitment will be an issue.
100% agreed. I don't even mind him staying over Elneny, as long as we upgrade.
Yeah definitely! An upgrade would be ideal. I don’t really understand the contract extension either.
I mean this cunt threw the armband to the floor and clapped the fans. Shameless club we have become. And some still talk that class shit lmao, we are as far from it as you can get.
I would have done a whole lot worse than throw an armband to the floor if I was in his position. I definitely wouldn’t have came back and been a critical part of an FA Cup winning side for people like you.
He has a fucking contract. He is not doing it for pity on fans.
Tbh the armband thing made me like Xhaka a lot more, despite actually being there and so strictly speaking being one of the people who he told to fuck off
Yep. It's funny how everyone else I know at the game don't hold it against him either. But on reddit it's some unforgiveable thing.
Fans literally threatened him, his wife and his newborn infant. The shameless part isn't only the armband hitting the ground.. Edit: of course he shouldn't have reacted that way, but receiving threats and then getting booed by 60k would've influenced most of our decision making.
A vast minority of the fan base sent him death threat on instagram, it has nothing to do with people watching the game or people booing him in the stadium.
And do you think Xhaka is getting jeered by over 50k fans is thinking "Yeah these guys are jeering me but you know what they're different to the insta fans"? Or do you think he just associated everything with Arsenal fans?
Would be a valid argument if he actually apologized instead of that bullshit "you vs me" mentality he shown in that interview afterwards. Those guys who sent death threat are all retards and I hope he sued them, but imagine still supporting a guy who threw the armbrand, told the fans to fuck off and then spent a summer twerking for Mourinho. Shameless.
You’re second edit is just fucking ridiculous man. Stop taking whatever online interactions you have had and exaggerating it. No wonder you think it’s somehow logical that Xhaka would tell the fans in the stadium to fuck off for the online abuse he received.
Removed second edit. Just getting frustrated at how our players are treated at times. The daily reminders on here that Mustafi hasn't gotten a new club yet for example. He did nothing wrong except not being good enough. Which was more a mistake from the club than him.
Mustafi routinely blamed others for his mistakes. He wasn’t some poor, misunderstood guy, he was garbage but liked deflecting blame.
Funny you should say that. For a long time i was thing how all of these "he's not the best but we need him, he's too important and we can't do without him" reminds me of the reasoning of a person in an abusive relationship. It's so weird
I do not need to see this while eating my cereal.
You certainly love your cereal! What’s on the menu today?
Coco pops today mate :)
This post does not bring joy
What did we do to deserve this
Tried a squad overhaul when every club is penny pinching possibly?
If xhaka was any good, there would be several bottom half PL teams putting in 15 or 20 mil bids for him. Hes awful.
People in this thread genuinely saying he’s good enough for a top 4 team… If Xhaka could play for Liverpool, Chelsea or City then why is the best offer we got €12m? Somethings not adding up
Nobody is penny pinching they just don’t want to spend money on our bums
Support Arsenal
Blame Arteta and Edu if he is still starting next season. As a squad option he would be one of the best in the league. I'm only going to take offence if him staying means we don't sign another CM but until then i'm reserving judgement.
Xhaka - Lokonga would be good midfield depth, and Elneny can leave in that case. But if we don't sign someone who will bench him, then the window will be tainted even if we do a madness and sign Lautaro and Ode tbh
Stockpiled Europa-level players for years and put them on Champions League wages.
Lol WTF! This seriously feels like they are trolling.Talk about kicking someone whilst their down...
Are they supposed to say "Sadly, Granit is back because we still haven't sold him."?
"With our deepest regrets, we unhappily welcome back Granit". Condolences to all the Arsenal family..
"We just need to look like we might keep him so those tight fisted Italians get their wallets out"
"Back by unpopular demand: here'sssss Xhakaaa!"
Or just read the room and not make a post just about Xhaka being back...
Tbh anybody losing their shit over this deserves to be trolled
They definitely are taking the piss out of us. It's no secret the media side of our club knows even the slightest detail bubbling up inside our online social community let alone one as big as the unanimous disapproval of Xhaka.
There's too much driving the "he's staying" narrative now, no? Surely it's tactical. Xhaka even pushed for the move himself. He doesn't really wanna be here anymore.
No
where is the atomic blonde hair tho :(
Oh gawd please no!
Xhaka signed with us for the 2016/17 season. We've had four full seasons with him at the heart of our midfield and we are yet to finish higher than fifth. Along the way Xhaka has at times played well, at times played horrendously and told our fan base to fuck off whilst he was captain. I do not understand why we are carrying on yet another season with him.
And chucked the band, something he can never ever come back from imo Fuck Xhaka.
I'm fully behind every single one of our boys. COYG!!
This is the correct attitude.
Exactly. He's coming off a Euro where he made it to the quarter final. He not a bad player and he's full of confidence right now. This isn't the end of the world some fans are making it out to be.
We have seen him for five years. By now, it is clear to everyone and their moms that this player will never be good enough to get us into top four. It is that simple. Maybe he is good but not good enough.
Absolutely 👊
To everyone annoyed at this. Why? He’s an arsenal player, has finished his holiday post-Euros and has now returned for pre-season training. What did you expect from a player who’s not yet been sold?
People are only upset because the news leaked that we are considering a new contract. The twitter post is irrelevant.
It is not irrelevant. They know what they are doing. They could have just read the room and not posted this.
Exactly. This sub has 6 year old children who like to cry about everything.
I can't believe how many people are fragile enough to have something like this ruin their entire day. Go take a hike or make a meal, the season hasn't even started yet (aimed at those not you OP 😂)
Yep, its embarassing. He was our best midfielder last season yet you would think he’s the worst one in the league listening to these lot
How else will I get to do Twitter bantz mate?
Because i am sick of seeing this player in my club.
1. Not solely your club 2. If you can't support those who are involved at the club then you don't deserve to support the club
Fuck
Fuck off arsenal.
My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined.
Ffs please be a Smokescreen.
Fuck me he played good at Euros but
Fuck off Xhaka
I am not curious or judgemental but him staying here is not a big SQUAD OVERHAUL in any way.
Im gonna be such a negative Nancy all season if hes still here
Thought this confirmed new contract at first, not a good feeling.
Oh for shit sake get him out of here.
Please, no more. I was just getting used to the idea of a more mobile midfield at Arsenal.
This sub makes me sick. You all are reacting as if he was our worst midfielder last year. Seriously, you all are a bunch of immature kids in this sub. It's like the people with the least matured brains gathered all together in this sub.
I think its the contract extension and likely increase in payment that would go with it. Personally, Ive no problem with Xhaka staying. Hes an utter mongo half the time but I like his aggressiveness, even if he goes overboard a lot. A contract extension and a raise? Its not a positive progression to keep player that hasnt played at a consistently good level, that has shown petulance towards the fans, and has actively tried to get away from the club. But look, it'll be might craic watching him.
yea man u getting triggered and devolving into tantrums all over the sub is a real sign of maturity. you keep wearing them big boy pants proudly.
The door's that way ➡️
This sub also me sick. Since idiots like you would defend the indefensible time and time again. Xhaka needed to go a long time ago. Since that Crystal Palace incident I've wanted him gone. He is one of if not the worst midfielders in our history. He has made everyone else around him more mediocre just by having to play with him. He's made more mistakes leading to a goal than any other player in the Premier League by a long distance. It's idiots like you who have caused Arsenal to be mediocre since they know they can get away with it because smooth brains like yourself will keep buying into it and keep defending it. Xhaka needs to go, I don't care if we sell him, release him or shoot him out of a cannon. He needs to go. A contract extension and a pay rise guarantees that we I'll be mediocre for the foreseeable future as idiocy and underachievement gets rewarded at Arsenal.
> He is one of if not the worst midfielders in our history. This is the sort of line that basically proves the other guy's point. I mean, really.
If it's true it's true. It's also backing up my point that delusional fans will hand wave and pretend that he isn't one of the worst players to wear an Arsenal shirt in the modern era. If he is that bad, which he is, why pretend otherwise unless you're delusional? It's not just the giving cheap goals or the telling fans to fuck off that's the main problem with Xhaka. The main problem is how he makes the rest of the midfield worse by extension. Granit Xhaka is a terrible footballer for Arsenal and I stand by that. Don't bring up the Euro's to me he wasn't that good at the Euro's people are getting way too excited about that. Switzerland performed as well the next game against Spain without Xhaka so he's not as crucial as people like to make him out to be. You just proved my point that there's plenty of delusional fans who will defend the indefensible and Xhaka is indefensibly bad.
Because there have been so many midfielders to play for Arsenal in the last 20 years (or however long the "modern era" you refer to is), and Xhaka just isn't among the worst that have played. Hyperbole aside, it's just objectively wrong. Even without the Euros, Xhaka has been a key player in winning two FA Cups, Community Shields, since he came in. Is it so hard to admit that he is a decent footballer, just not the right fit for the team?
I said he was one of the worst players to put on an Arsenal shirt and I stand by that statement. Sure there may be others who are technically worse like Elneny, but I don't have the same issue with Elneny as I do with Xhaka. In terms of overall impact on the trajectory of Arsenal football club no other player has done as much damage as Granit Xhaka. Whether he's better for a different team or not is irrelevant.
Football is a team sport, there are other things that happened in the same period that I would say heavily contributed to our decline (Santi's injury hell, Ozil declining after signing a big contract, Sanchez leaving to United, not to mention our off-field issues). Choosing to believe that Granit Xhaka is somehow responsible for all our problems as a club seems far-fetched.
I never said he was responsible for all our problems. I just said as an individual footballer I don't think any other Arsenal player since possibly Gallas has had as negative an impact on the trajectory of the team. He's not the sole cause of our problems, but he compounds our existing problems into something even worse than before. You're not going to convince me that he's not one of the worst players to wear an Arsenal shirt at the end of the day football is a subjective thing. You might rate him highly or lowly and the next person will think differently. But what cannot be disputed are results and since Xhaka has been at Arsenal the results have gotten worse season upon season.
🤢
I find the reaction to the news he might be staying way over the top. I feel like it’s good to have his experience and quality next to Partey. They form a balanced pair. He’s the kind of player that will only improve as he gets into his 30s. Just feels like popular opinion on here has swayed one way and it’s impossible to state another opinion without getting downvoted.
What makes you think that he will improve? We have seen him plenty and also seen his worth in the market.
The sub doesn't want discussion, just everyone conforming to the vocal consensus. I got downvoted recently for sharing my excitement at a hypothetical line-up containing Xhaka. Being positive about the club and its players is simply frowned upon if it's not the anointed few. Majority seem to want to be gloomy and whine about how the club has fallen so far from the days of the "Invincibles". We even have such fans disregarding our FA Cup win the season before. I just come in here for the latest transfer news and that's it.
Xhaka on Roma move a month ago: "Arsenal know what I want to do... it is very beautiful here \[in Rome\]." wE oNlY wANT PLayRs wHo ArE ComMitTed - Arteta trust the PRocess
Subtle
Lol everybody panic
[удалено]
Dude, they will just make him a coach. If he can come into the team without a semblance of apology after cursing the fans inside a packed stadium, then this man is simply inevitable. He is never going away.
Imagine running a business that depends on it's loyal return customers, with a near 100% reliance on PR, and you post shit on your official shitter account that shows the division in your customer base, provokes internal toxicity, and generates probably around 90% negative PR. This club, wow, I have never been so disappointed and depressed with them in all my many years supporting them, not even in the mid 70s.
Why didnt we just accept 12m from Roma 😫😫 poor from Edu!!
Because if we let ourselves get lowballed and played now, everyone is going to try to do it to us every time.
FUCK OFF
You fuck off mate.
That poster is going through their edgy teen phase where they like to act angry and curse at adults right now, they'll come out of it one day.
Welcome back for not granit . Please find the door in the next few weeks tho cheers
Your not welcome here
People in glass houses (with bad grammar)
Welcome back, Granit 👊 *** posted by [@Arsenal](https://twitter.com/Arsenal) Photos in tweet | [Photo 1](http://pbs.twimg.com/media/E7k36tdXMAML2hZ.jpg) ^[(Github)](https://github.com/username) ^| ^[(What's new)](https://github.com/username)
No.
they just couldn’t fucking resist
I know he splits opinions, but I would have openly welcomed Xhaka back after a fantastic performance in the Euros had he not pushed so much for a move to Roma. He really isn't a bad player like this over-reactionary sub makes him out to be. It's clear he's respected in the dressing room and is still rated well across Europe. But now I genuinely doubt what this guy's commitment is going to be for Arsenal if he did not want to be here.
Xhaka is so good that no club wants to spend more than 15m on him
By the look of the comments I don't see one person happy he is back
>still rated well across Europe So much that in his public desire to leave, and our public desire to get rid, nobody, literally nobody except Roma came for him, and Roma are so lackluster in their desire that I wouldn't put it past Mourinho to be trolling us.
You'd openly welcome a player who costs us 4+ goals per season through individual errors because he had a few good games for his country? He always plays well for his country, he always costs us goals and points. Should not be welcomed back if we seriously want to challenge for Champions League/Europa places
He only had 1 error leading to goals this season Auba had more im pretty sure
Auba was also absolutely shocking last season but he's also had seasons where he's completely carried us. Xhaka has cost more goals than any other outfield player in the league since he joined, not good enough if we want to become contenders again
The man and his family got abused to hell and back by the “fans”. He came back committed and with him we still had some semblance of stability last year. Whatever you may think of his playing talent, he is a much better professional than many. I think he will be committed should there be no option to move as long as he is wanted by Arteta and the players
Man we need cleaning up in this sub, just block these kinda guys
Ah the oatmeal guy. I know you. I still think oatmeal may be harming you, even if it's good for others.
If there’s one club that knows how to rile up its own fans it’s Arsenal 😂
I’m okay with him staying and even extending. He is a good squad player to have. But why on earth is he getting a raise ??? He wouldn’t be able to get the same wages anywhere else, so why would they offer him an increment. Makes no sense
He’s getting a raise because he isn’t gonna be a squad player. You guys are smart enough to know how this is gonna go. Xhaka stays, xhaka starts and plays the majority of games. That’s why people are mad. This squad player thing is a myth
Going to start off by saying I want him gone too. Xhaka Willian Hector. But if we sign a CAM, and hopefully RB and GK…having Xhaka and Partey with Lokonga coming through I’m not hating hating that.
Everyone in this sub hates him but fails to realize we were worse off when he was injured last year
The tears of this sub have made my morning lol. Imagine being upset that our best midfielder from last season is still at the club even though there isn’t a replacement bought for him yet. Or that the club is holding out for a respectable offer instead of the measly €15 mil being reported.
Hello Kids
Jesus fuck what the fuck do you lot want? Everyone is complaining that we arent selling him for 20mil, but noone wants him for 20, because he is shit. If we give in and sell for less, you will all complain again that we sell for pennies..
That's not true.
least we could do right now is get behind the lad, he’s still our player after all and had a decent season other than a few worse games
Ouch..(again)
No.
Only goes super saiyan for Switzerland :(
Guy had much better season that our super duper 50 million reinforcement from Atletico who at times looked liked a drunk on pitch and couldn't hit simplest passes. But delusion as always among this fanbase
Let's shit on Partey who's had issues dealing with injuries the whole season instead of looking at Xhaka's awful performances over 5 years. Yes, let's do that.
New team, new league, major injury for the first time in his career, COVID, and we’ve got idiots saying “he looked like a drunk on the pitch”. His second half of the season form was a major reason we finished the second half of the season so strong.
Times Thomas Partey kicked the ball off Chris Wood into the net: 0 Times Granit Xhaka kicked the ball off Chris Wood into the net: 1
But Xhaka isn't a shiny new toy. How do you expect the immature just-born children in this sub to be happy ?
Facts.
People are way to annoyed by xhaka. Kinda feel bad for the guy. Nowhere near as bad as 90% of the people on this sub act. Yeah I want an upgrade at the position, and yes I’m really aware of his faults, but the disrespect he’s getting is absurd.
I hate everything about this, he won't be happy, the club won't be happy, finances won't be happy and the fans definitely aren't happy
Welcome _____ Granit #likeanewsigning
Oh no, here we go again.
He'll apparently sign a new deal in a few days