"Let's move forward positively together" - Granit Xhaka tells Arsenal fans after outburst

"Let's move forward positively together" - Granit Xhaka writes Arsenal fans after Crystal Palace outburst

Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka has written a message to fans explaining why he reacted angrily at them after he was booed as he was substituted during their 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.

Xhaka has been criticized by some people for his gesture to fans as he was subbed for Bukayo Saka during the game on Sunday.

In a post he shared on his Instagram page, the Switzerland midfielder explained that he and his family had been subjected to abuse on social media, which had led him to a "boiling point".

On Wednesday night, Arsenal manager Unai Emery said Xhaka was "sad" and "devastated" so he did not include him in the squad that lost to Liverpool after a penalty shoot-out in the fourth round of the Carabao cup.

It is uncertain whether Xhaka will return to the Arsenal line up for Saturday's Premier League game against Wolves.

Granit Xhaka's statement

"After taking some time to reflect on what happened on Sunday afternoon, I would like to give you an explanation rather than a quick response," the post read.

"The scenes that took place around my substitution have moved me deeply. I love this club and will always give 100 percent on and off the pitch.

"My feeling of not being understood by my fans, and repeated abusive comments at matches and in social media over the last weeks and months have hurt me deeply.

"People have said things like "we will break your legs", 'kill your wife' and 'wish that your daughter gets cancer'.

"That has stirred me up and I reached boiling point when I felt the rejection in the stadium on Sunday.

"In this situation, I let myself be carried away and reacted in a way that disrespected the group of fans that supports our club, our team and myself with positive energy. That is not my intention and I'm sorry if that's what people thought.

"My wish is that we get back to a place of mutual respect, remembering why we fell in love with this game in the first place. Let's move forward positively together.

"Granit."

View this post on Instagram

Message to the fans;

A post shared by Granit Xhaka (@granitxhaka) on Oct 31, 2019 at 12:20pm PDT