Arsenal: Only cowards would see this as Granit Xhaka’s end

There are many out there who have declared that this is the end of Granit Xhaka at Arsenal, but only cowards would see it that way. Never count him out.

It wasn’t a good look for a lot of people against Crystal Palace. Arsenal fans in general have been embarrassing themselves with their hatred of Granit Xhaka and, up until that match, Xhaka had been stoic and outwardly unbothered by it, but in the moment of being jeered, he lost his cool, walked off the pitch and chucked his shirt, cursing at fans.

For many hopeful haters out there, they see this as the end of Xhaka at the Emirates. After all, how would a player like him win back the hearts of the fans? Right? Is that the logic we’re going for here, despite the fact that he never had the hearts of the fans?

That’s the thing. You have to be of a cowardly mindset to see this as Xhaka’s end. Because that is what a coward would do. They would take this treatment, sit down, and wait to be sold. But Granit Xhaka isn’t a coward.

Granit Xhaka has been standing strong despite the torrential criticism for years. He’s been improving, and growing and maturing as a human being and as a player.

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

All the while fans have sent him death threats, they’ve harassed his wife and newborn, they’ve proven to be sub-human, and yet Xhaka didn’t let it bother him. He was still the first to step up and admit when he was wrong, he was still the first to stand up for his teammates. He will always be the kind of individual who doesn’t shirk from responsibility.

Which is why I can’t imagine how people think this is his end. Unless they’re afraid that he will, in fact, come back. Because the best way that Xhaka can prove these fools wrong is to do just that. To be better.

And when that happens, and I have a sneaking suspicion that it will, what will the fans do then? I’ll tell you what they won’t do. They won’t have the same courage as Xhaka to stand up and admit their mistakes. They won’t appreciate what he’s doing.

They’ll find something else to criticize him about. Because that’s what cowards do.

Granit Xhaka isn’t done. No matter how much you hope he is. I’m looking forward to his return.