Report: Emery to consult players over Xhaka's future as Arsenal captain
Granit Xhaka's teammates could play an influential role in deciding whether the Swiss international remains Arsenal's captain.
Manager Unai Emery intends to meet with members of his squad to determine if Xhaka is fit to continue as the team's captain following his outburst during Sunday's draw with Crystal Palace, according to Matt Law and Jason Burt of The Telegraph.
Xhaka became visibly agitated when he was jeered at the Emirates Stadium while walking off the pitch. Bukayo Saka was replacing him in a match that saw Arsenal blow a two-goal lead at home.
Emery is believed to have paid the 27-year-old - who joined Arsenal from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016 - a visit on Monday to discuss Sunday's events, The Telegraph adds.
"His reaction was wrong," Emery said post-match. "We are here because we have supporters. In football, we are the workers inside (the pitch) but we play for them. We need to have respect for them when they are applauding us and also when they are criticizing us."
Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin appeared to come to Xhaka's defense after the match.
"We are all humans, we all have emotions, and sometimes it's not easy dealing with them," Bellerin wrote on Twitter. "It's time to lift each other up, not to push each other away. We only win when we are together."
The negative reception also impacted Lucas Torreira, with team photographer Stuart MacFarlane saying the Uruguayan was in tears because of the abuse aimed at Xhaka.
Didn't want to post these pictures but felt I had to. This is Lucas Torreira's emotional reaction to the abuse Granit Xhaka received after his substitution, in tears and inconsolable. Absolute love and respect for his captain. pic.twitter.com/ijKOvwkYx2
— Stuart MacFarlane (@Stuart_PhotoAFC) October 28, 2019
Meanwhile, the draw at home to Palace has further dampened Arsenal's hopes of ending their Champions League drought, and it also cast doubt over Emery's future in north London.
It's understood that failing to secure a place in the top four will result in Emery getting sacked, according to Law and Burt.
Arsenal's struggles have also reportedly had a negative impact on the team's attempts to sign players to new contracts, such as Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, The Telegraph reports.
Arsenal sit fifth in the Premier League with 16 points after 10 matches.