Nigel Winterburn says Granit Xhaka has put Unai Emery ‘in a very difficult situation’ with his behaviour against Crystal Palace and has called for the midfielder to be stripped of Arsenal’s captaincy.
Xhaka was replaced by Bukayo Saka in the 61st minute after Arsenal threw away a two-goal lead at the Emirates and reacted furiously as fans booed him for a lack of urgency in leaving the field.
The Swiss tossed the captain’s armband at Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, cupped his ear towards the crowd and told supporters to ‘f*** off’ before storming straight down the tunnel.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos had a late goal ruled out after referee Martin Atkinson consulted with VAR and Palace managed to hold on for a point.
Emery hinted that Xhaka could have the captaincy taken away after the final whistle and former Arsenal defender Winterburn hopes he follows through with his threat.
‘I was very surprised, he’s the captain of Arsenal Football Club!’ Winterburn said on talkSPORT.
‘I was amazed when he cupped his ears, his shirt was off and then he was swearing at the supporters – it’s not something you expect from your captain.
‘I think Unai Emery needs to take him out of the firing line in terms of the captaincy. He’s got five captains and he can easily do that.
‘I don’t agree with five captains and I don’t like this “vote for your captain scenario”.
‘The manager should pick the captain. I find having five captains very, very bizarre.
‘This has all put Unai Emery in a very difficult situation and he’s got to deal with it quickly, he can’t let it linger on.’
Winterburn believes Emery will put himself under pressure if he sticks with Xhaka as Arsenal’s skipper.
‘If Unai Emery backs Granit Xhaka he’s going to realise what supporting Arsenal is all about,’ Winterburn added.
‘If the fans don’t agree with him the manager himself his going to come under increasing pressure.
‘What it does is it then puts a lot of pressure on the next game, over whether the manager starts Xhaka.
‘If he doesn’t start well or he makes him captain, you’re waiting then for that reaction from supporters, and you need you supporters with you.
‘Now you’re going to find there’s going to be that divide we had towards the end of Arsene Wenger’s reign, and we simply can’t have that at the club again.’
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