Granit Xhaka has said he was close to leaving Arsenal after he was booed off and clashed with his own supporters during a Premier League match against Crystal Palace in 2019.

Arsenal were pegged back in a 2-2 draw against Palace at the Emirates Stadium and when Xhaka was substituted in the second half, he was met with jeers from Arsenal fans for taking time to come off the pitch.

The midfielder then removed his shirt when storming off the pitch and appeared to swear at his own supporters, as well as waving his arms taunting fans to boo louder and cupping his ear.

Xhaka was subsequently stripped of the club captaincy and has revealed he was ready to leave the north London club following the incident.

"My bags were packed. The passports were out," he told the Players' Tribune. "I was done with Arsenal. Finished.