After admitting he was close to quitting the team because of the hate he received, Granit Xhaka said players and fans need to treat each other with more honesty and respect.
"When I close my eyes now, I can still see their faces. I can see their anger," he told the Players' Tribune.
The passports were out. I was done with the team. Finished.
Xhaka was jeered by his own fans when he was taken out of the game against Crystal Palace.
Xhaka exchanged words with the home support before taking off his shirt and disappearing down the tunnel.
When I heard the boos, I had barely begun to move. A lot of people were in the corner. I was surprised. Xhaka said that he had never experienced anything like this.
This is hate. It was pure hate. I am not exaggerating.
I wouldn't want it for my worst enemy. I don't like walking those last metres to the tunnel if we have lost. There are the same people sitting.
I just keep my head down. I lived through that nightmare once. I don't want to do it again.
The 29-year-old has been sent off five times since joining the club from Monchengladbach in 2016 and has been criticized by fans for his lack of discipline.
Xhaka insists that he will not change his style of play.
He said that when they are losing, he knows what people are saying about him. He gets too many cards. He is killing our game.
The cards have always been part of my game. They were in Germany as well. Do you remember the 50-50? I am all in and training is the same. I will be the first one to apologize if I elbow a player.
But a tackle? Come on. This is not a ballet.
After talks with Mikel Arteta, who replaced Unai Emery two months after the incident against Crystal Palace, Xhaka decided to stay at the club.
He admits his relationship with the supporters will never be the same, but has called for an end to the abuse that some football players have to endure.
It's like broken glass, you know? He said that you can piece it together, but the cracks will always be there.
I want us to have a better relationship. I want us to understand each other better.
I understand that we will never be best friends, but I hope we can treat each other with respect. I want you to know that whatever I do on the pitch comes from the right place.
For 90 minutes, I am Granit Xhaka. I am just a Swiss guy living in London with his wife and two kids.
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