Bellerin begs fans to stop Xhak flak
The Daily Mirror and Daily Star report that Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin has pleaded with the club’s supporters to forgive captain Granit Xhaka.
Swiss midfielder Xhaka was booed by fans when substituted during Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium.
He then responded by cupping his ear, telling fans to “f*** off”, taking off his shirt and storming down the tunnel.
The Mirror says the “monumental strop” could see Xhaka lose the Arsenal captaincy, but Spanish full-back Bellerin wants to see unity within the club.
Bellerin said on Twitter: “We are all humans, we all have emotions, and sometimes it’s not easy dealing with them. It’s time to lift each other up, not to push each other away. We only win when we are together. #COYG.”
Metro says that senior Arsenal players have rallied around under-fire skipper Xhaka.
‘Unai of the storm’
The Sun adds that Arsenal boss Unai Emery is feeling heat from the board and is fearing a dressing room revolt if he takes the captain’s armband off Xhaka.
Spaniard Emery has failed to improve results since replacing Arsene Wenger and is facing “mounting boardroom scrutiny”.
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