Granit Xhaka had a war of words with the Arsenal fans a couple of weeks ago and right now the midfielder has been frozen out of the squad.
After that shocking incident, the first thing the club did was to suspend him and then they went one step ahead to take away the captain’s armband from him and give it to Aubameyang.
And everyone was more or less sure that the player would never play for Arsenal with Unai Emery also hinting towards the same possible outcome.
“As a coach, I have a responsibility for the team: we need a player like Granit Xhaka,” Emery said.
“But also, I don’t know if he’s going to play [for us] again. I don’t know because, if he is available in his mind to continue helping us and continue defending the Arsenal shirt, I think time is giving us that solution. Then, if I decide he is in the group with us if he is ready and 100% in his mind with the decision to help us – we have a solution.”
While there have been several rumours about Granit Xhaka moving to AC Milan during the January transfer window but he, in a recent interview had claimed he wanted to mend all bridges at stay at the club.
And now as bizarre as it may seem, Unai Emery has hinted that Granit Xhaka could feature in the matchday squad when Arsenal take on Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday.
While the final decision is yet to be taken but it certainly looks like the Swiss international could feature in the Arsenal first XI – atleast till the transfer window reopens.
“He’s coming back better. His mindset is better and this morning I have a very good conversation with him,” the manager said in his press conference.
“My objective is for him to come back helping us and convincing everyone that he is going to be better in the short or long future with us.
“He’s feeling better and his team is Arsenal now. He wants to come back with the confidence of the supporters. We are going to decide tomorrow (if he plays) but I want to give him confidence and comfort.”
