Former Arsenal midfielder, Granit Xhaka, has opened up about the tumultuous period at the club when fan discontent almost saw him leave North London for Hertha BSC.

Xhaka credits Mikel Arteta as the significant influence that convinced him to remain at Arsenal, highlighting a personal journey of resilience and redemption.

• After fan criticism during a game against Crystal Palace, Granit Xhaka felt determined never to play for Arsenal again.
• Despite past resilience demonstrated at Gladbach, Xhaka’s father advised a change after the Arsenal incident, with a move to Hertha BSC almost finalised.
• New Arsenal coach, Mikel Arteta, played a crucial role in convincing Xhaka to stay, leading to a shift in fan sentiment.

In a candid conversation with “Werkself-Yearbook“, Granit Xhaka shed light on one of the most challenging periods of his footballing career.

Following a match against Crystal Palace, where Xhaka felt unjustly criticised by the Arsenal fans, the Switzerland international admitted he was “determined” never to wear the Arsenal jersey again.

“The reaction of the fans struck deep,” Xhaka reflected.

“It felt completely impossible for me to play again for Arsenal, especially for the fans who, in my perspective, had booed me without a clear reason.”

The hurt was profound, with Xhaka adding that he even kept his true feelings hidden from his family.

This wasn’t the first time Xhaka felt the weight of football’s challenges.

He recalled a tough phase during his early days at Gladbach, where he considered departing. It was then that his father’s words resonated with him: ‘If you run away now, you will always run away’.

But the situation at Arsenal was unique.

“Following the incident at Arsenal, my father’s advice shifted,” shared Xhaka. “For the first time, he said: ‘It’s over. We have to leave.’ We had even prepared for the move, agreeing terms with Hertha BSC.”

Enter Mikel Arteta

Arsenal’s newly appointed coach at the time managed to do what seemed almost impossible – convince Xhaka to continue his journey at Arsenal.

“I can’t pinpoint how, but Arteta convinced me so thoroughly,” confessed Xhaka. “For the first time in my life, I made a decision without consulting my parents.”

Granit’s decision to stay under Arteta’s guidance saw a remarkable transformation in his relationship with the Arsenal faithful.

“Perhaps English football has never seen such a fan sentiment turnaround,” remarked Xhaka, adding that while he learned significantly from the experience, “in the end, it’s just football.”

Xhaka’s journey at Arsenal was marked by highs and lows, emotions and lessons. His candid revelations underscore the human side of football, where players grapple with the weight of expectations, fan sentiment, and personal decisions.

Yet, it’s stories like these – of resilience, turnaround, and redemption – that make the sport deeply human and profoundly relatable.