Granit Xhaka has backed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to bounce back at Arsenal after losing the captaincy in early December.
The Swiss international was stripped of the title himself in October 2019 after he was unable to control his emotions during a home draw with Crystal Palace.
A section of fans cheered when he was substituted in the 61st minute and he was then booed as he walked from the field. Xhaka reacted by appearing to swear to the supporters, taking his shirt off and marching straight down the tunnel.
His successor, Aubameyang, has had no luck with the role either, and following his latest disciplinary breach, the Gabon striker lost his captaincy earlier this month.
But Xhaka has shown that there is a way back at the Emirates and he thinks that Aubameyang will be able to respond in the right way.
“I have been in this situation and I know how he is feeling,” Xhaka told The Athletic.
“Mine is a different story, with different problems to Auba. Sometimes, maybe, this is not a step back but is a step forward. I think Auba is strong enough and has enough experience to be back and to be better than before.
"I believe everything happens for a reason. It doesn’t have to be something to bring you down. You have to think positive and believe you can turn it around. I believe he can.”
Aubameyang is assessing his options ahead of the January transfer window with Arsenal open to offers for their now exiled former captain, football.london understands.
Juventus and Barcelona have been linked with a move for the 32-year-old but no concrete offers have been presented to Arsenal just yet.
While Arsenal manager Arteta remains coy on whether Aubameyang could be involved, football.london has been told that the Spaniard wants to avoid a repeat of the situation with Mesut Ozil from last season.
Although Xhaka says it was difficult to be appreciated at the football club again, he's suggested that a transfer elsewhere is the easy way out.
“I had some very, very dark days and nights,” he added.
“Everyone can run away. That’s so simple, you open the door and walk out. But I was never that type of person. I knew I was the right person for this football club. I want to give them something. I will do everything for this football club to win games and with a lot of passion.”
