Arsenal: Don’t lump Granit Xhaka with Aubameyang and Lacazette

Arsenal have some players reportedly wanting to jump ship, but while they’re all in on it, Granit Xhaka is different than Aubameyang and Lacazette.

With the incoming appointment of Mikel Arteta, there are several Arsenal players rumored to want out. Honestly, it’s not like we needed the report at all. It’s obvious to see. Particularly in the case of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who I wish we could sell tomorrow.

But also included in these rumors is Alexandre Lacazette. This ones hurts a bit worse because he is so valuable to the team, and he’s been a fan favorite for so long. Plus he’s relatively young, with a bright future ahead of him. It’s just his confidence problems and injuries that have gotten in the way.

So the dynamic duo wants out, and you can tell by how they pout on and off the pitch. But then Granit Xhaka is being lumped into those craving an exit, but I don’t think that’s fair.

Granit Xhaka doesn’t want out because Mikel Arteta is joining the club, and he doesn’t want out because Arsenal are struggling. He’s made it clear that he loves this club and he always owned up to his mistakes and could never be found not caring.

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Then Crystal Palace happened, which compiled on a prolonged history of piggish fans chipping away at Xhaka. From social media harassment directed towards Xhaka himself, to detestable harassment aimed at his wife and newborn, Xhaka has had all support ripped out from underneath him. He’s fought so hard to earn it, but hateful “fans” would never give him the satisfaction of feeling appreciated.

After the outburst at Crystal Palace, Xhaka was destined to leave. We all knew it. He wasn’t going to be the same after that. Especially after his apology was taken so poorly by fans.

If Xhaka does in fact want to leave the club, that would be why. Not because of Mikel Arteta or struggles. If anything, Arteta’s cerebral approach to the game would compliment Xhaka’s own intelligent approach perfectly. And that being the case, I’m of course still hoping that Xhaka can be won over and stay.

But in the event that he does leave, I won’t hold it against him. He deserves better than what “fans are giving him.”

It’s just unfair to think that his potential motivation to leave is in line with Aubameyang’s and/or Lacazette’s. Far from it.