Former Arsenal star Nigel Winterburn believes Unai Emery should strip Granit Xhaka of the captaincy.
The Gunners club captain was taken off in the second half of his side's game against Crystal Palace yesterday afternoon, with the game poised at 2-2.
But as the midfielder walked off the field, the home fans cheered and urged him to hurry up which appeared to anger the Swiss international and he could clearly be seen throwing his hands up in the air and cupping his ear as the boos grew louder.
The 27-year-old then ignored Emery's offer of a handshake and walked straight down the tunnel while seemingly mouthing the words f*** off numerous times.
And Winterburn believes Xhaka should have the captaincy immediately taken off him for swearing at supporters.
He told talkSPORT: “I was very surprised, he’s the captain of Arsenal Football Club!
“I was amazed when he cupped his ears, his shirt was off and then he was swearing at the supporters – it’s not something you expect from your captain.
“I think Unai Emery needs to take him out of the firing line in terms of the captaincy. He’s got five captains and he can easily do that.
“I don’t agree with five captains and I don’t like this ‘vote for your captain scenario’. The manager should pick the captain. I find having five captains very, very bizarre.
“This has all put Unai Emery in a very difficult situation and he’s got to deal with it quickly, he can’t let it linger on.”
Before the former defender added: “If Unai Emery backs Granit Xhaka he’s going to realise what supporting Arsenal is all about.
“If the fans don’t agree with him the manager himself his going to come under increasing pressure.
“What it does is it then puts a lot of pressure on the next game, over whether the manager starts Xhaka. If he doesn’t start well or he makes him captain, you’re waiting then for that reaction from supporters, and you need you supporters with you.
“Now you’re going to find there’s going to be that divide we had towards the end of Arsene Wenger’s reign, and we simply can’t have that at the club again.”
