Arsenal coach, Mikel Arteta, has shed light on Granit Xhaka’s alleged refusal to receive the captain’s armband during their Premier League game against Brentford at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday which ended 2-1 in favour of the Gunners.
Arsenal defeated Brentford with goals from Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka,to move within a point of fourth placed Manchester United.
But, during the game Swiss midfielder Xhaka refused the captain’s armband when Eddie Nketiah tried to hand it to him.
According to Football.London , the situation had nothing to do with Xhaka’s commitment to the Gunners.
“Just catching up on the Xhaka captain stuff. For clarity, Laca was trying to give the captain armband to Tierney who was preparing to take a throw but couldn’t hear Laca,” Football. London wrote.
“Laca therefore gave it to KT, but EN was told to stay in the CF by Arteta.
“Nketiah then tried to give it to Xhaka to give it to Tierney at that point but the throwing was about to be taken so GX told him to just hold on to it.
“Not a case of Xhaka refusing the responsibility, and a bit of a stretch to say it’s a lack of commitment or something like that.”
Arsenal coach, Mikel Arteta also clarified that the armband was intended for Tierney as he’s next in hierarchy for the Gunners captaincy.
“Because Kieran was next in line” Arteta said when questioned concerning the incident.
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