Arsenal fans all say same thing about Granit Xhaka after Maupay squares up to him during Everton defeat
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ARSENAL fans are all saying the same thing about Granit Xhaka after Neal Maupay squared up to him in the 1-0 defeat to Everton.
Tempers flared during the game as the French striker confronted him as the Arsenal squad protested a refereeing decision.
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Granit Xhaka calmed down rival Neal MaupayCredit: BT SPORT
Amadou Onana put a bad tackle in on Ben White with the players, led by Xhaka, asking the official to take action.
Xhaka led the charge up to him with Maupay unhappy at the Arsenal reaction.
However, surprisingly the Swiss international attempted to calm his furious opponent down rather than reacted angrily like his reputation would suggest.
Maupay also clashed with Oleksandr Zinchenko late in the game and Xhaka was again level-headed, pulling the Ukrainian away from trouble.
Fans had their say on Xhaka’s behaviour, one said: “CANNOT BELIEVE MY EYES, watching Granit Xhaka calming down Neal Maupay. What a difference a few years makes.”
Another said: “Xhaka has changed. If Maupay did that to him last season he’s getting hit with a swift right hook.”
A third reacted: “Xhaka has grown up… two seasons ago he’d have headbutted Maupay.”
One Arsenal supporter jokingly suggested they miss his previous style: “The old Xhaka would’ve thrown Maupay into the ground. I don’t know if I’m sad or proud to witness this.”
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This is not the first time Maupay and the Gunners have had their differences on the pitch.
During his time at Brighton he injured Bernd Leno sparking a huge brawl at full-time.
He then went on to score the winner that day and called for Arsenal players to “learn humility”.
Xhaka has taken up a leadership role in the squad this season and previously calmed down Gabriel Magalhaes away at Leeds.
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Granit Xhaka attempted to split up a fight later in the game with Oleksandr ZinchenkoCredit: Getty