Granit Xhaka has spoken about the 'toughest point in his career' when he fell out with jeering and abusive Arsenal fans who booed their own captain off the pitch
Neil Docking
20:04, 07 Feb 2026
Granit Xhaka reacts to Arsenal fans after being jeered when he was substituted against Crystal Palace
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Granit Xhaka reacts to Arsenal fans after being jeered when he was substituted against Crystal Palace(Image: Visionhaus)
Premier League star Granit Xhaka has opened up on the abuse he took from Arsenal fans and an infamous incident during his time with the Gunners.
The Switzerland midfielder, 33, has enjoyed a great season so far with Sunderland, who sit ninth in the Premier League table, after far surpassing expectations since winning promotion back to the top flight. Xhaka, who previously spent seven years at Arsenal, missed his former club's 3-0 win over his current one on Saturday afternoon through injury.
Despite making nearly 300 appearances for the Gunners, serving as captain and winning two FA Cups, he had a rollercoaster time in North London. That included a fallout with fans, when Xhaka reacted angrily and stormed down the tunnel after being jeered by home supporters when he was substituted against Crystal Palace in 2019.
Granit Xhaka has shone at Sunderland
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Granit Xhaka has shone at Sunderland(Image: Getty Images)
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The Swiss star rebuilt his career with Bayer Leverkusen - helping them win the double in Germany - but the pain of his experience with Arsenal remains. Xhaka spoke to Kelly Somers of the BBC for The Football Interview, a new series of in-depth conversations about the game.
Asked about "the toughest point in your career", he responded: "It was 2019 when I had this... I call it a misunderstanding... with the fans of Arsenal... I think that I became stronger and better because it's part of a process. It's part of writing the whole history. On one side, very bad. On one side, I was lucky to have it."
He added: "In general, I think people just think about this moment in 2019. But I came in 2016, so to be part of a football club for seven years makes me proud... it's not easy to be on this level for seven years. And, of course, when I left Arsenal it was a hard decision for myself and for my family because we were happy there."
Granit Xhaka spoke with Kelly Somers for the BBC's new series of football interviews
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Granit Xhaka spoke with Kelly Somers for the BBC's new series of football interviews(Image: Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
Xhaka was substituted in the 61st minute of a 2-2 draw with Palace, when some Arsenal fans cheered him being withdrawn. He responded to boos as he walked off the pitch by making sarcastic gestures and saying "f*** off", then removed his shirt.
Then Arsenal manager Unai Emery described his behaviour as "wrong" and called for him to apologise, before Xhaka was stripped of the club captaincy, just over a month after being awarded the role.
In a statement at the time, Xhaka said he along with his wife and daughter had been the subject of horrific abuse at matches and online, including "we will break your legs", "kill your wife" and "wish that your daughter gets cancer". Arsenal legends such as Paul Merson slammed fans for booing their own player and described the comments as "vile".
Granit Xhaka removed his shirt as he stormed past then Arsenal manager Unai Emery in the infamous incident
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Granit Xhaka removed his shirt as he stormed past then Arsenal manager Unai Emery in the infamous incident
Kelly asked Xhaka: "How do you deal with the dark moments? How did you deal with that moment at Arsenal?"
Xhaka replied: "Very difficult. The worst time I had was always when I was alone, before the game in the hotel or when my missus or my family were not around. Every time these things came up and I just wanted to deal with it alone - looking to myself and say: 'Why has this happened? Why is it me? What did I do wrong to the people?'
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"I was the captain of the football club in this time. But there were too many noises and voices outside - even from players I didn't expect to speak about this. But I believe in life... everything comes back and I'm sitting here very happy and I just want to enjoy my time."
The Football Interview will drop on Saturdays across BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website, with this week's interview with Xhaka broadcast on BBC One from 11.55pm on Saturday, February 7.