Arsenal boss Unai Emery insists his team ‘need’ supporters to stick with the team if they’re to improve their performance.
Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace descended into acrimony after Granit Xhaka was booed and jeered as he left the field.
The Swiss midfielder told fans to ‘f**k off’ and large sections of the support then turned on Emery by chanting Mesut Ozil’s name after he was left out of the squad for the seventh match in a row.
The Gunners now face a daunting away trip to face Liverpool at Anfield in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
But Emery says that it’s crucial the supporters stay with the team
‘We need them. We need to be strong inside. We need to transmit that connection with them,’ said Emery.
‘Before we won a special and different match with very good connection with the supporters.
‘Our challenge is to improve our control of the game, to play better in our style.
‘We have players and capacity with that improvement to add better results for the next matches.’
Emery confirmed in today’s press conference that Xhaka will not be included in the squad to face Liverpool.
The Swiss feels ‘devastated’ and Emery does not think it’s right to put him in the firing line.
‘He trained normally with the group but he is devastated. He is sad about that situation,’ he said in a press conference ahead of Arsenal’s cup clash with Liverpool’.
MORE: Unai Emery reveals Granit Xhaka is ‘devastated’ after clashing with Arsenal fans
