Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has issued his verdict on Granit Xhaka's situation at Arsenal, identifying similarities between the Switzerland international and Jorginho at Chelsea last year.
The Gunners ' captain was booed off the field during last weekend's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace and responded by appearing to swear at the fans, which has led to a vast backlash in the media.
Xhaka subsequently missed the midweek draw with Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, although it was likely he would have sat on the sidelines for the tie regardless, but Unai Emery confirmed today he will not be in the squad to face Wolves tomorrow.
While many suggest the incident involving Xhaka could lead to the end of his stint with Arsenal, Carragher disagrees and cited some examples that prove he can view his worth.
"This is not an Arsenal issue. You see it everywhere. Last season, it seemed like Chelsea’s Jorginho represented all that was wrong with the reign of Maurizio Sarri," he wrote in his column for the Telegraph.
"Fast forward a year, and with a popular new manager backing him, Jorginho’s reputation has been transformed. Jorginho is the same player. It is the world around him that has changed.
"Liverpool supporters had a similar attitude when I was a player, choosing the favourites who could do no wrong while the same group of players were held accountable for poor performances.
"There was a game against Southampton in January 2002 when Danny Murphy was given identical treatment by the Kop as Xhaka last week - an ironic cheer when subbed.
"The difference then was that he responded by scoring the winning goal at Manchester United three days later.
"I was often criticised early in my career when I played full-back, Liverpool fans wanting a version of Ashley Cole rather than myself. Gerard Houllier would rally around us, insisting he believed in us.
"For the players, the only way to change the situation is on the pitch. The better you play, the more slack you are cut.
"There is a general refusal by fans to think ill of the best players when they mess up, are involved in contract wrangles with their agents pushing for transfers, or fail to apply themselves on an off the pitch. Even if there is a fall-out, forgiveness is swift.
"You only have to review Luis Suarez’s Liverpool career to see that - from unqualified, misguided support in the Patrice Evra case through to the rehabilitation after he publicly requested to join Arsenal.
"Would there have been the same tolerance for an unwanted fringe player as a £75million asset who could win Liverpool the title? No chance."
