Lucas Torreira was left in tears at the abuse Granit Xhaka was subjected to (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira broke down in tears at the abuse that team-mate Granit Xhaka sustained as he was substituted against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The Swiss midfielder was taken off on the hour-mark for Bukayo Saka as the Gunners looked to find a win against the Eagles, who had fought back from two goals down.

But, instead of running off, Xhaka walked slowly to the sidelines and Arsenal fans began to jeer and boo the former Borussia Monchengladbach ace.

Xhaka removed the captain’s armband and launched it towards Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and he started to throw his hands up in the air before cupping his ears at the home support.


Xhaka being subbed off pic.twitter.com/VIQsnhFBoC — Matt (@MGH) October 27, 2019

Amazingly, it got worse. The midfielder removed the Arsenal shirt and shouted ‘f**k off’ at his own supporters before heading straight down the tunnel.



Unai Emery criticised Xhaka afterwards and confirmed that he will take a decision over whether the midfielder retains the armband.

And it was clearly all too much for Torreira, who was pictured in tears on the sidelines as Xhaka bore the brunt of the home support’s anger.

Torreira was upset at the abuse his team-mate sustained (Picture: Getty)

Torreira was warming up as Xhaka was taken off (Picture: Getty)

Torreira was emotional at the incident (Picture: Getty)

The Uruguayan was an unused substitute during the 2-2 draw but club photographer Stuart MacFarlane tweeted after the game to confirm that the midfielder was left in tears at the incident.

Didn't want to post these pictures but felt I had to. This is Lucas Torreira's emotional reaction to the abuse Granit Xhaka received after his substitution, in tears and inconsolable. Absolute love and respect for his captain. pic.twitter.com/ijKOvwkYx2 — Stuart MacFarlane (@Stuart_PhotoAFC) October 28, 2019

Arsenal are next in action against Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday and it remains to be seen whether Xhaka will play and whether he will keep the armband.

The midfielder was named as one of five captaincy options by Emery earlier this season and the armband could be passed on to Aubameyang or Alexandre Lacazette in his absence.

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