It was an unedifying sight when Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka goaded the home crowd after hearing cheers for his substitution against Crystal Palace at the Emirates yesterday.

In an interview following the 2-2 draw, Manager Unai Emery said that the club captain was wrong to act so angrily to the crowd. The 27-year-old also walked down the tunnel after being subbed and took off his shirt.

The Evening Standard reports the club are now considering whether to strip Xhaka of the captaincy. It is, though, a delicate situation as the Swiss international was voted as the leader by the rest of his teammates.

Emery will not want to cause a split in the dressing room, but it’s clear that the player’s actions will be divisive among supporters, and a fresh start with a new captain may be the best way forward.

Arsenal’s hierarchy could simply fine Xhaka, but the incident cannot hide the deep discontent from sections of the fanbase about the direction the club is currently heading.