Sports

Manchester United hero Dimitar Berbatov slams Arsenal fans and Granit Xhaka over ugly Emirates clash


Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka clashed with his own fans (Picture: Getty)

Dimitar Berbatov says Arsenal fans were ‘wrong’ to boo Granit Xhaka but has slammed his shocking outburst during the draw with Crystal Palace last weekend.

Xhaka has been widely condemned after he antagonised Arsenal fans and told them to ‘f**k off’ as he left the field at the Emirates on Sunday.

The Arsenal captain reacted badly after his substitution during the 2-2 draw with met by cheers and now faces a fight to keep hold of the captain’s armband.

Manchester United hero Dimitar Berbatov (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United hero Berbatov described the incident as ‘painful’ but says blame can be attached to both parties.

‘Arsenal fans were wrong to boo their captain Granit Xhaka against Crystal Palace last weekend but the player’s reaction was unacceptable,’ he told Betfair.

‘It’s not the first time Arsenal fans have booed their own players as I remember it happening to Emmanuel Eboue. It’s not pleasant at all and I found it painful to watch the Xhaka incident.

‘For a player, it dents your pride if fans boo your contribution or cheer that you’re going off.

‘You want to defend yourself but no player – especially the club captain – should ever react like Xhaka.

‘When he took off his shirt, I was thinking: “Please don’t throw your shirt down, because if you do that you’re finished at the club.”

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video

‘I was playing for Tottenham in 2007 when Hossam Ghaly threw his shirt to the ground after being substituted. It is terrible for a team when that happens.

‘Fortunately, Xhaka stopped short of doing that, but it will still be difficult for him to come back from this unpleasant incident.

‘Unai Emery has a challenging job if he’s to mend the relationship between Xhaka and the Arsenal fans.’

Xhaka missed Arsenal’s dramatic Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday night but could return for the Gunners on Saturday when they host Wolves.

While a number of Arsenal legends have slammed Xhaka, Paul Merson defended the Swiss star by saying: ‘Xhaka’s behaviour was shocking but at the same time, he’s hurt.

‘It’s not nice and no one wants to get booed off the pitch, I don’t care who you are. I’m one of his biggest critics but he does care.’

MORE: Dani Ceballos apologises to Arsenal fans after missing penalty during Liverpool defeat





READ SOURCE

Leave a Reply

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.