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Granit Xhaka believes the bitter relationship he once shared with Arsenal fans is firmly in the past.
The midfielder was ironically cheered when substituted during Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace back in October.
He was then subjected boos and whistles for sauntering off the pitch and responded by cupping his hand over his ear and telling the supporters to f*** off.
After being dropped by Unai Emery and stripped of the Arsenal captaincy and was offered the chance to leave the Emirates with Hertha Berlin interested in the midfielder.
However, Xhaka insisted that by January he saw the incident as being in the past and rejected a return to the Bundesliga.
Xhaka was booed as he walked off The Emirates pitch at home to Palace in October
“It was really no longer an issue for me,” Xhaka told German publication Sport 1. “Yes, there was contact and also an offer, but in the end, I decided to stay here in London.
“After three and a half years I did not cancel everything that I had built up.
“I am now concentrating on this with all my strength and motivation and hope that we can get back on the pitch soon.”
And while the Swiss international admitted he cannot “undo” what he did that night he is determined to look ahead with a positive attitude.
“These whistles against me, this hatred, that was brand new for me,” he added.
“What happened happened. You cannot undo it. Maybe it was a misunderstanding and both sides overreacted to some extent.
“But that’s done for me, you have to look ahead now, motivate yourself positively in the current situation and don’t get caught up in the negative.
“As I wrote in my statement back then: As a team, the club and the fans, we should work together hand in hand towards the next game and the challenges ahead with mutual respect and in memory of what makes us love this game.”
Xhaka is now a regular with Arsenal again
“I think I have had a very good relationship and very good contact with all the coaches here at Arsenal,” Xhaka said.
“Everyone has their own character, their own philosophy and also their own way of addressing. With Mikel, however, something like a restart actually started for me.
“I had very good conversations with him right from the start, in which he showed me what he expected of me, how much he needed me in the team and how he valued me as a player. It was very motivating and convincing for me.
“With him, you immediately notice that he has a very wide-ranging, long-standing know-how that he passes on very well to the team.
“He is absolutely professional, pays great attention to discipline, team spirit, is open and direct in communication. I am convinced that we still have a lot of fun with him.”
