GRANIT XHAKA got straight down to business as he returned to Arsenal after his furious fan rant.
The Gunners captain has been at the centre of a storm since telling supporters to “f*** off” when they roundly booed him in the 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.
Arsenal boss Unai Emery said today the 27-year-old is “devastated” – and should apologise for what he did.
Xhaka – who has removed the photo of himself in Arsenal kit from his Instagram bio – had his eye on the ball at London Colney today, though.
He was pictured training alongside Lucas Torreira – who was in tears on the touchline watching what happened to Xhaka – Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Shkodran Mustafi.
Emery confirmed today that Xhaka will not feature in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup tie against Liverpool on Wednesday.
But he insisted that had nothing to do with the furore surrounding his actions and was actually part of his plan.
Emery also said Mesut Ozil, who has played just two games all season, could wear the captain’s armband at Anfield.
Speaking of Xhaka, Emery said: “First we recover him as a human.
“It is not easy for him and for the team. He is now devastated, sad. We spoke yesterday and Sunday night and this morning.
“He trained normally with the group but he is devastated. He is sad about the situation.
“His commitment is great every time. He wants to help. His behaviour was perfect in training, with the group and club.
“He knows he was wrong and he feels inside, very deep.
“It’s normal as a human. Every player needs the supporters’ support. He is down.”
Asked if Xhaka should apologise, Emery said: “Yes. I think when we make individual mistakes, we need to make apologies for one circumstance.
“We suggested to him he do it.”
Emery added: “Individual circumstances like Sunday are coming because as a team we need to improve.
“We need to be more comfortable and transmit to the supporters and show a little better performance and result.”
Xhaka is among a quartet of stars including Aubameyang, Calum Chambers and David Luiz who will not travel to Liverpool.
Arsenal have launched a disciplinary inquiry into Xhakas antics but anyplans to strip him of the armband – given to him after a squad poll – could lead to a dressing-room revolt.
