Arsenal legend Martin Keown believes manager Unai Emery is at fault for how he dealt with the situation which led to Granit Xhaka swearing at supporters during the Gunners' 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Xhaka could be stripped of the Arsenal captaincy following the incident, which saw him cup his ears and wave at fans after they booed him before telling them to "f*** off" and ripping his shirt off.
Xhaka was appointed one of five Gunners captains after a vote from his teammates, and Keown believes it is partly because of this manner Emery has of appointing his leaders that Xhaka got such a rough ride from supporters.
Speaking to the Daily Mail Keown said: "Sunday was not the first time Granit Xhaka has been jeered by his own fans.
"It happened on September 22 too, when Aston Villa visited. Villa were leading 2-1 at the time, then Xhaka was substituted and serenaded by boos.
"Arsenal, despite being down to 10 men, went on to win 3-2 without the midfielder. Then five days later, Emery names Xhaka as captain anyway."
Keown believes Arsenal supporters do not believe Xhaka is worthy of being captain, and that is one of the reasons why they were so furious with him when he took his time to leave the field during Sunday's game.
"Emery is as much to blame as anyone," Keown added. "If you let the players pick their skipper, then it becomes a popularity contest and that is not what leadership is about.
"I've never had a manager who decided the captaincy that way and, for me, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is still the safer bet."
Xhaka is yet to comment on the events that unfolded against Palace, and Emery is expected to consult his players over whether he should keep the captain's armband or not.
