Arsenal’s players have rallied round captain Granit Xhaka and believe he should retain the club’s armband despite the rift with fans.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez says the dressing room is behind Xhaka after he reacted to the taunts of supporters in last Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.

Xhaka has been left traumatised by the experience, player and manager Unai Emery assessing how to repair a broken relationship with The Emirates crowd.

“The manager decides if he’s the captain or not. But for us as a group, as a leader, we support him all the way,” said Martinez.

“He’s a lovely guy, he’s a bit devastated because he has got a good family, a good heart and he loves the club. When someone goes through that, we have to support him and we are together. We wanted to win the game for him.

“It was a shock because we know how much he cares about the club. Everyone has emotions. At that time he wasn’t thinking much about that, because we were 2-2 and the fans wanted to win the game. It was a bit nervous in the stadium but I think if he does it again he won’t think about that, he will come off quick.”