Xhaka refused to be vaccinated, a decision that the Swiss federation respects, but ended up testing positive for the coronavirus, so he has been left out of the squad. Even so, he was keen to get back on the pitch as soon as possible on Instagram... and Jose Mourinho took the opportunity to recommend that he gets inoculated soon.
"Get the jab, Granit, and be safe," the Roma boss wrote in the comments box on the Arsenal player's post. He replied: "Thank you, coach." His response, however, was soon buried in hundreds of texts from fans who shouted at the 'giallorosso' tactician either to praise or criticise him.
This gesture from the Portuguese has not come as too much of a surprise because, for the last few months, he has been quite active on social media. It is an aspect of his personality that did not stand out much in the past and which has opened the door for him to gather many followers on his various internet accounts.
As for Xhaka, the last time he was on the pitch was on 28th August, in that Premier League game in which Manchester City thrashed Arsenal and shook the foundations of Arteta's project. When the English domestic championship returns, the Gunners will need to improve.