Not a day goes by without someone requesting Mikel Arteta’s head in a stick or where players are subjected to a series of threats on Social Media and although I’m not averse to sharing my opinions online, the fans have to draw the line somewhere.

It seems we live in an age where it’s fine for fans to hand out death threats to the players, their wives, kids, and family, all because a player happened to miskick a ball, squandered an opportunity, or was below par. Let’s take Granit Xhaka as the prime example of the supporters’ vitriolic outbursts.

Cast your mind back to the Palace game, when an angry, frustrated, and substituted Xhaka came into direct conflict with fans for walking slowly off the pitch. Yes, his behaviour was unacceptable and at the time, I suggested his career was over. He’d never been a favourite with me and that’s not his fault. Many mention the price tag but again, he didn’t choose to sell himself for an extortionate amount, that’s down to both the buying and selling clubs.

I just expected more, possibly more than was realistic because of a failing Mesut Ozil. I may have placed too much emphasis on him stepping up to the plate and taking responsibility for someone who seemed more preoccupied with filling his bank account than fulfilling his potential.

Xhaka has always been at odds with his role, initially perceived as an attacking midfielder but positioned in a holding midfield role, he hasn’t delivered consistently, although I admit, he’s starting to win me over slightly. Don’t tell anyone. All this may seem incidental but does any of it merit the vile and toxic Abuse from spineless Arsenal fans wishing his family ill. As the player rightly said himself, criticise him for any perceived failure but not his family.

I’m genuinely worried for the players’ safety at present, with the increase in mental health problems and anxiety due to Covid-19 and lockdown. I wonder if an immediate review of ground safety is called for to Protect Players and referees. It’s better to be proactive than reactive and the way society is heading at the moment, there is an increased likelihood of an attack in my opinion.

Jack Grealish was attacked from behind in 2019 in a match against Birmingham. Sunderland player Luke O’Nien was punched and kicked by a Portsmouth fan in 2018/19, what’s it going to take to get some real action. The FA, always slow to react, have a responsibility to protect the players and officials from any kind of abuse from fans. It should be looking at ways to stop abuse on social media with the government and if found guilty, prosecuting the offender is the only way forward.

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There’s a section of Arsenal fans that I find truly embarrassing, ones that are quick to respond in negative and abusive ways without respecting others. Criticise in ways that are honest but don’t abuse a player in his car with his wife present. Don’t aim vile and hurtful abuse at family members on social media and issue threats of violence or death.

This has to be stamped out, the immediacy of modem technology allows us to react without thought or without realising the results and impact of our actions. If this is the way football is heading, then it should meet with a swift end to remove it from our lives because the cancer of hate is already undermining and killing the beautiful game.

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