Granit Xhaka has opened up on the “hatred” he felt towards him following an infamous spat with Arsenal fans earlier this season.
The Swiss was jeered off following a poor performance in the 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace at the Emirates in October, with fans feeling he was taking too long to leave the field in an urgent situation.
Xhaka reacted angrily, cupping his ear to the crowd and shouting expletives before removing his shirt and throwing it on the ground.
He was subsequently stripped of the captaincy by then manager Unai Emery, with his Gunners career seemingly over, but the 27-year-old has managed to win his place – and the fans – back under Mikel Arteta.
“These whistles against me, this hatred, that was brand new for me,” he told Sport 1.
“What happened happened. You cannot undo it. Maybe it was a misunderstanding and both sides overreacted to some extent.
“But that's done for me, you have to look ahead now, motivate yourself positively in the current situation and don't get caught up in the negative.
“As I wrote in my statement back then: As a team, the club and the fans, we should work together hand in hand towards the next game and the challenges ahead with mutual respect and in memory of what makes us love this game.”
There were reports in January that a return to the Bundesliga with Hertha Berlin was on the cards and seen as an ideal way for all parties to move on.
However, Xhaka insists that in his mind the incident was in the past by that point.
“It was really no longer an issue for me," he added. “Yes, there was contact and also an offer, but in the end I decided to stay here in London.
‘After three and a half years I did not cancel everything that I had built up.
“I am now concentrating on this with all my strength and motivation and hope that we can get back on the pitch soon.”
