Granit Xhaka NOT in Arsenal squad to face Liverpool in Carabao Cup tie on Wednesday but Mesut Ozil is recalled

Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka has been left out of the squad to face Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday but Mesut Ozil has been recalled.

Xhaka was sarcastically cheered when he was substituted on the hour-mark against Crystal Palace and then booed when he slowly walked off the pitch on Sunday.

He responded by cupping his ear to the crowd, telling supporters to ‘f**k off’, angrily stripping off his shirt and storming straight down the tunnel and his actions prompted mixed reactions from the footballing world.

The Times report his team-mates want him to continue in his role, having voted for him to be given the armband in the first place, while Arsenal legend David Seaman told talkSPORT, Xhaka must apologise to the fans.

Asked whether Xhaka would remain club captain, Arsenal boss Unai Emery was evasive with his response.

“I do not want to speak about that. First is to recover him. We cannot anticipate the circumstances,” he said at his press conference.

“I prefer to keep moving.”

“It’s not easy for him and for the team. He is now devastated, sad. We spoke yesterday and Sunday night and this morning,” he added.

“He trained normally with the group but he is devastated. He is sad about that situation.

Emery, who was quick to condemn Xhaka after the incident, again appeared to suggest the Switzerland international was to blame.

“His commitment is great every time. He wants to help. His behaviour was perfect in training, with the group and club. Really he knows he was wrong.

“He feels inside, very deep. It’s normal as a human. Every player needs the supporters’ support.

“We need to be strong, to know and learn to play under our pressure. It’s our work, our job. The supporters are the most important in our lives. If there aren’t supporters and fans behind us there’s no reason to play football.

“He is down. The most important now is to look after him and his family and also recover our best Granit Xhaka.

“After that wrong situation on Sunday I have one challenge every time.”

Meanwhile, Ozil could be set for just his third appearance of the season, when the Gunners face the Premier League leaders in the Carabao Cup.

The German midfielder has been left out of Arsenal’s last six match day squads entirely and has been linked with leaving the north London club.