Hector Bellerin says that Arsenal’s players “respect the decision” to strip Granit Xhaka of the club captaincy.
Xhaka told fans to “f**k off” as he was jeered following his substitution in a 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace – also removing his shirt and cupping his ears.
The 27-year-old has since issued an apology of sorts, explaining that ongoing social media abuse aimed at his family also led to his furious reaction.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, Arsenal said they would offer counselling and other support mechanisms as Emery said Xhaka was “devastated, sad and very down”.
The Switzerland international has since sat out the following two draws against Liverpool and Wolves and has not travelled for the Europa League clash against Vitoria on Wednesday afternoon.
“Sometimes it’s hard to deal with like feelings,” said Bellerin. “He made a mistake but as a dressing room we have to be together.
“These things happen and that’s it. We back him. He is playing his part now. We respect the players, we respect the decision of the coach and the club.
“For us it’s just to give him our love and care. He’s one of us so we’re just helping him get through it.”
Former Arsenal captain Laurent Koscielny left under a cloud during the summer after refusing to travel on the club’s pre-season tour of the United States, eventually being sold to Bordeaux.
In response, Emery held a blind ballot amongst his players which saw Xhaka’s top the poll, and in a five-man leadership group Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Bellerin, Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil were also selected.
The Spaniard confirmed another vote will not take place and Aubameyang will lead the team, adding: “We have now Aubameyang, Hector, Lacazette and Ozil. They are the four captains and the first now is Aubameyang.”
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