Jamie Carragher has given his verdict on Granit Xhaka as captain of Arsenal.
The Swiss midfielder caused outrage on Sunday after he was substituted during their 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.
Unsurprisingly, his reaction was met by a chorus of Arsenal fans demanding for him to be stripped of the captaincy.
Carragher has been quick to remind Gunners fans about what some of their skippers of the past have been guilty of - as well as outlining the biggest mistake Xhaka has made.
“I think it might be difficult for him to continue as captain now because of what happened,” Carragher told Sky Sports before Arsenal's game against Liverpool in the League Cup.
“Actually going back to the scenes, I actually feel a bit sorry for him. He gets a lot of criticism from Arsenal fans because of his playing ability.
“Okay he’s not having a good season and he’s not the greatest Arsenal midfield player we have ever seen. But I think criticism like that for a player should come when people refuse to play.
“The last captain did that, he wouldn’t go on the pre-season tour. Think before that, Van Persie desperate to move to Man United. Fabregas desperate to go to Barcelona.
“He’s just not playing well. He’s actually played more games for Arsenal since he’s joined club than anyone. So that tells me he doesn't pretend to be injured, he’s not looking to get out of playing for Arsenal.
“He’s been brought off in the last three games by Unai Emery. I think the fact Unai Emery when about given the captaincy with this vote and making this captaincy this big huge issue at Arsenal. And then he has given it to…a man who the supporters don’t particularly like. He’s then seen as Emery’s man, so he’s the guy they go for when things aren’t going well.
“But you can’t forget it is an emotional game. So I am not going to have a go at the Arsenal fans. Because they are emotional. The game isn’t going well against Palace and they react. He then reacts because he cares. You see how he reacted when he was coming off.
“Yeah it is not right and I agree with him (Ray Parlour) the biggest mistake he has made is not apologising. Everyone makes mistakes, apologise for it, but there are people who have done a lot worse who have been captain for Arsenal who haven’t took that stick.”
