Arsenal and Granit Xhaka: Who do you trust more?

Granit Xhaka is a staple for Arsenal and that came across last season. But one bad play against Real Madrid and the whole thing is unraveling.

There were times last year where I openly celebrated how many Arsenal fans were finally coming around and seeing the work that Granit Xhaka was putting in. No, he still isn’t and will never be Patrick Vieira, but in his capacity, he was a crucial piece of the puzzle.

It all went so well until his injury, after which he had a hard time getting his feet back underneath him. That was unfortunate, but again, most fans were willing to see the big picture. He had sustained an injury, and as with any player in the history of ever, coming back from that is far from simple.

And then the preseason tour rolled around, specifically the match against Real Madrid, and everyone is losing their minds again.

Xhaka made one bad play against the Spanish giants. One. He surrendered possession when he was the only midfielder following Joe Willock being substituted for Nacho Monreal.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

Just like that, the hateful, vile social media engines were abuzz with talk of Xhaka being worthless. All over again. Like nothing had ever changed. Never mind the fact that Xhaka played the second best pass of the match, springing Eddie Nketiah into the open, with only the keeper to beat and Nketiah failed to finish.

Had he, Xhaka would have notched a beautiful assist and people probably would have shut the hell up. But as it happened, the goal didn’t count, and people forget the one great play and remember the one bad play. It’s fickleness at its worst.

Unai Emery is about to make Granit Xhaka captain. He extended his contract, he’s an outspoken leader of the club. Why do you think that is? Do you think it’s because people who work with him every day are wrong, or do you think it’s because fans who whine and cry like unpotted mandrakes are wrong?

It’s a question of who you trust more. The fickle fans or the footballing professionals? I know who I’m casting my lot with.

You don’t get this far in your career at a club where fans are constantly berating you without having something firm to stand on, and Xhaka has that. Whether you see it or not is your own business, but do try to remember that the people whose opinions actually matter, see it.