Arsenal Fans’ Forgiveness of Granit Xhaka Slammed as ‘Unforgivable’
Arsenal fans have come under fire for their unwavering support and appreciation of Granit Xhaka, with his past actions being described as ‘unforgivable’. TalkSPORT host Rory Jennings has expressed his confusion over the Gunners faithful’s forgiveness of the 30-year-old midfielder.
Xhaka recently completed a £21.5 million transfer to Bayer Leverkusen, putting an end to his seven-year tenure at Arsenal. Despite being a two-time FA Cup winner with the club, the Switzerland international fell out of favor with supporters during the 2019/20 season. In a match against Crystal Palace, he swore at the fans, leading to him being stripped of the captaincy. Xhaka further exacerbated the situation by ripping off his shirt and throwing the captain’s armband onto the floor, resulting in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang taking over as skipper.
Many believed that Xhaka’s departure was imminent during the January 2020 transfer window. However, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta managed to convince him to stay. Since then, Xhaka has enjoyed a remarkable turnaround in his relationship with both the fans and the club. During Arsenal’s final game of last season, a 5-0 victory against Wolves, fans even pleaded with the midfielder to stay, as he scored two goals.
On The Transfer Insiders show, host Ade Oladipo commended Xhaka for his impressive transformation and argued that Arsenal should have retained him for squad depth. However, Jennings disagreed, stating, “I think it’s irrelevant. Because what we are seeing here is a distinct lack of any principle from Arsenal fans.”
Jennings, who follows many Arsenal fans on social media, criticized their praise for Xhaka’s recent performances and his ability to win them over. He argued that Xhaka’s past actions should not be forgotten or forgiven, regardless of his subsequent contributions to the team. Jennings emphasized the severity of Xhaka’s behavior, stating that he swore at the fans in their own stadium, disrespecting their commitment and financial investment in supporting the club. Moreover, Xhaka’s act of throwing the captain’s armband on the floor was seen as a cardinal sin, undermining the significance and legacy associated with the armband.
Jennings questioned the lack of principle displayed by Arsenal fans in their sudden change of heart towards Xhaka. He expressed his bafflement at their outpouring of love and adoration for a player who had treated their club with contempt. The captain’s armband, according to Jennings, symbolizes the spirit of legendary Arsenal players such as Tony Adams, Thierry Henry, and David Rocastle. To him, Xhaka’s actions were a blatant disregard for the club’s values and traditions.
The debate surrounding Xhaka’s redemption within the Arsenal fanbase raises questions about forgiveness, accountability, and loyalty. While some argue that Xhaka has proven himself on the pitch and deserves a second chance, others believe that his past actions should never be forgotten or forgiven. The contrasting opinions highlight the complexity of fan-player relationships and the varying degrees of importance placed on loyalty and principles.
As Xhaka departs Arsenal, having scored 23 goals in 297 games for the club, the debate surrounding his legacy will continue. Arsenal fans will have to grapple with their conflicting emotions towards a player who has divided opinion like few others. Whether Xhaka’s redemption is seen as genuine or merely a temporary reprieve remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the forgiveness shown by Arsenal fans towards Granit Xhaka is a contentious issue that will continue to be debated among supporters for years to come.