Granit Xhaka's wife has opened up on her husband's infamous substitution against Crystal Palace in 2019, admitting she was "shocked" and "hurt" by the reaction of Arsenal's supporters.
Xhaka, 30, is enjoying a remarkable season with Arsenal and has played a key role in helping them secure an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
The Switzerland international is thriving alongside Thomas Partey and Martin Odegaard in midfield, and has already scored seven goals in all competitions – his best return since joining the club from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016.
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It is some turnaround from the midfielder, who came close to leaving the Gunners following their infamous 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace in 2019.
After being hauled off by Unai Emery, Xhaka reacted furiously after his substitution was greeted with widespread jeers from the Emirates crowd.
He cupped his ears and swore at the home supporters before taking his shirt off and storming down the tunnel in a show of defiance.
Xhaka was later stripped of the club captaincy and appeared to have played his last game for the club, with a move to Hertha Berlin fully agreed before the player changed his mind.
Speaking to The Players' Tribune in 2022, Xhaka said: "My bags were packed. The passports were out. I was done with Arsenal. Finished.
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"There was a contract on the table from another club, and all I had to do was sign. I had talked with my wife, Leonita, and we had decided to leave.
"I was just going to say goodbye to Mikel, and then we would board the plane."
He added: "When I close my eyes now, I can still see their faces. I can see their anger.
"It's not that they don't like me. No, it’s different. This is hate. Pure hate. I am really not exaggerating this."
Xhaka's wife defends her husband
Xhaka's wife, Leonita, has now opened up on the Crystal Palace incident, admitting she found it difficult to watch.
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"He didn't deserve it because I know he has a job and how much time he puts into it, and how hard he works," she told Swiss TV channel SRF.
"And then to see… for him, it just really hurt me at that moment. We're family and it's not nice for us to experience something like that either.
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"But for him it was just a shock at the moment it happened."
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Xhaka has regained the affection of the Arsenal supporters with his performances this season and will hope to end the campaign as a Premier League winner.
Mikel Arteta's side next face Liverpool away from home on Sunday, with closest rivals Manchester City taking on Southampton on Saturday.
Topics: Arsenal, Granit Xhaka, Football, Premier League, Crystal Palace
Rory O'Callaghan