Granit Xhaka asked if he's happier playing without Arsenal fans... | OneFootball

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka insists he wants to see Emirates stadium full again.

The 28-year-old midfielder told fans to “f**k off" as they jeered him following his substitution during a draw with Crystal Palace last season.

Xhaka was stripped of the captaincy by then-head coach Unai Emery as a result and it appeared he had no future at the club.

That changed when Mikel Arteta was appointed in December 2019, although Xhaka has continued to split the opinion of supporters ever since he joined Arsenal five years ago.

Asked if he has been happier playing in front of no crowds, Xhaka replied: “Not really, I'm not a guy who is scared or afraid to play in front of our fans – never, ever.

“I love the club and I respect the people around the team as well. I wish we could play with the fans because they would push us more and more and more.

“But the situation is what it is and hopefully things will change as quickly as possible to have the fans back and work together, to see we are improving and we want to take the next step as a club – this is what I wish."