Mikel Arteta has praised Granit Xhaka for baring his soul after the “pure hate” he had to absorb from Arsenal supporters, saying: “I'm glad he didn't run away.”
The former Gunners captain spoke out earlier this week about the way he was hounded after a red card against Crystal Palace brought his relationship with fans to breaking point in late 2019. Xhaka admitted: "When I close my eyes now, I can still see their faces. I can see their anger. The passports were out. I was done with Arsenal. Finished. It was not just a few guys in the corner – it was a lot of people, Pure hate.”
One of Arteta's first jobs when he arrived at the Emirates was to assess the fractured relationship between the Swiss midfielder and the Arsenal fan base. He decided to administer sticking plasters – and although Xhaka has collected five red cards in six years, Arteta is relieved they managed to call a truce.
The Gunners boss said: "I think what he has done is just express his feelings and say, 'This is how I feel about the situation'. He has done it in a way to the outside world that I probably haven't seen before. He has had a lot of support from everybody here internally and I think the fans have also given a lot of support.
"In the last year, the situation has changed a lot. They have been exceptional with the team and they have been very good with him individually as well, and what I have sensed in the atmosphere and support to him is very positive.”
Asked if another red card could shatter the ceasefire, Arteta replied: "It is part of football. He has to learn about the things he can improve in his game but who he is as a person, his experience, and the way he transmitted what happened at the club I think his personality and the way he is deserved another chance.
"I didn't want to see him leave that way. I think it was a little bit like running away from a difficult situation and I didn't think that reflected the personality or character of Granit. So I am glad that he has stayed and I am very impressed that he has been able talk with that maturity about the situation."
Back-to-back defeats against Palace and Brighton severely dented Arsenal's hopes of Champions League football next season, and another setback at Southampton – who have been in freefall – would leave them in danger of another finish outside the top six. And Arteta admitted there was a threat of psychological damage if they miss the boat again, conceding: “When you are close to achieving something, that’s always the risk when you’re close to winning a trophy and then at the end you don’t win it.
“Last year, when we were in the semi-finals of the Europa League and Aubameyang hit the post and it should have gone in but it went out and you’re not in the final, that’s football. You have to be prepared for that. It’s getting harder and harder (to finish in the top four). You see the level of the managers, the level of the teams, the individual players the top teams have to make the differences in games. It’s absolutely huge. That’s what we’re fighting against. But we have eight games left and there will be twists and turns for sure.”
