Last night, we saw one of the most extraordinary football moments from a club captain in the Premier League era.
Granit Xhaka was booed after being substituted in Arsenal's 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace yesterday, with the midfielder not taking to the reception too lightly. As opposed to ignoring the jeers and taking a seat on the bench, the Swiss international did quite the opposite.
The captain, instead, cupped his ear to the home crowd and seemed to shout abuse back at them, before taking off the shirt and heading straight down the tunnel. It really was theatrical stuff. In fact, it was a moment that has cemented its position in PL funny moment compilations on DVDs and Youtube for years to come.
Such behaviour has inevitably led to rumours around the club appointing a new captain and, the speculation of the player's future itself. In the midst of such carnival behaviour, SkyBet have released some Granit Xhaka specials.
Odds to start next two games
Next up for Arsenal is arguably the toughest fixture in England right now - Liverpool away. Sitting on top of the Premier Legaue, Jurgen Klopp's men have started the season emphatically and are big 10/11 favourites to get the win on Wednesday evening.
It's a demanding away trip for any club in the land and one that requires hard-work, organisation and strong leadership, qualities Arsenal would like to be looking for from their club captain. At 6/4 to start the game though, SkyBet aren't currently fancying the midfielder to even feature in Unai Emery's XI.
The same can also be said for their next PL game against Wolves this weekend, with Xhaka having odds of 11/10 to start. Any price above evens can be considered one with big value, as the 27-year-old has played in all but one of the Gunner's league games so far. Has Sunday's antics cost him his place in the starting eleven? SkyBet are clearly fancying Xhaka to miss out on at least one of these fixtures.
Odds to leave the club in January
With the January transfer window just around the corner, rumours and speculation will continue to become more prominent over the next few weeks. Xhaka's name has, therefore, crept up into such conversation, with SkyBet offering odds of 9/4 for the captain to leave the club before February 3rd 2020.
This is clearly the most drastic scenario to potentially come from Sunday's incident, but the midfielder may be swaying towards cutting ties with the club altogether. Having received heavy criticism from fans in the past, this isn't the first time that Xhaka has experienced a turbulent time in an Arsenal shirt.
Is there no way back for the Swiss in North London? At 9/4, some fans may fancy their chances in seeing the club part ways with the player.
Next Arsenal captain odds
Should Emery make the decision to not play Xhaka, he is then left with the predicament of who should captain the side. At 5/6, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang is the current favourite to start Arsenal's next PL game against Wolves as such. (This SkyBet market is specific to Saturday's fixture).
Other candidates for the armband have much larger prices, with David Luiz possessing odds of 7/1. The Brazilian captained Chelsea on numerous occasions during his time at the Bridge and he is a figure that is known for his vocal presence. Alexandre Lacazette is just behind Luiz at 8/1, having just returned from injury.
Fellow starters in Bernd Leno and Matteo Guendouzi could also fill the void, but both players are being considered huge underdogs at 20/1.
Of course, however, there is always the possibility that there is a huge U-turn with Xhaka's situation and he continues as the club captain. He is the second favourite to wear the armband this weekend at 7/4, a fairly generous price given this is his sole responsibility.
Only time will tell as to how the situation will unfold, with the neutrals grabbing the popcorn as we speak.
Granit Xhaka betting specials
- To start in EFL Cup vs Liverpool - 6/4
- To start next PL game vs Wolves - 11/10
- To captain vs Wolves - 7/4
Arsenal vs Wolves captain odds
- Pierre Emerick Aubameyang - 5/6
- Granit Xhaka - 7/4
- David Luiz - 7/1
- Alexandre Lacazette - 8/1
- Hector Bellerin - 16/1
- Matteo Guendouzi - 20/1
