He was never just going to say sorry. The reason Granit Xhaka’s statement does not sound like an apology is because it isn’t really one at all.



For those fans who have supported him with “positive energy”, there are placatory words. However, Xhaka will not apologise to those he feels have wronged him. “It won’t happen”, a former colleague told The Athletic earlier this week. “If you know his background, if you know where he’s come from… it’s just not who he is”.



Doubtless Arsenal officials wanted Xhaka to strike a more conciliatory tone, but as his expletive-laden stroll from the field last Sunday showed, the Swiss international is not always one to toe the line. It’s significant that when Xhaka’s statement finally arrived, it was from his personal Instagram account, rather than through an official club channel.



It also felt telling that Xhaka’s address contained none...