This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…

When Granit Xhaka impetuously threw a temper tantrum following his substitution against Crystal Palace, it really felt like the beginning of the end for his Arsenal career. The reasons behind him blowing up at the Emirates faithful was somewhat understandable, with the Switzerland international suggesting that his emotions were bubbling up after streams of abuse at both himself and his family.

But his ‘statement’ was simply that. An explanation. It wasn’t a direct apology, attempting to excuse his actions. If Arsenal fans inside the stadium at that infamous moment were partly to blame, then Xhaka too must assume responsibility for a portion of it. Instead, the 27-year-old side-stepped it, and left Unai Emery to handle the fall-out. And boy has the Gunners boss fluffed his lines.

In what no doubt was a tricky situation, the Spaniard immediately after the game insisted his then captain was in the wrong. To him, that was undeniable. Emery even publicly urged the midfielder to make an immediate apology. Xhaka’s response would come several days later. Fast forward a few weeks, and the Swiss ace has been nowhere to be seen, with the Arsenal manager admitting that he has left him out of match-day squads in recent games because the time wasn’t right.

Over the international break, Xhaka has arguably undone all the goodwill that he may have built up with the Arsenal fan-base with some strong words. He expressed that he is keen to sort things out with the club because he “can’t accept what’s happened with me”. Not exactly the kind of words you would associate with someone who is feeling genuine remorse for his mistake.

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So what does Emery do? Reveal that the midfielder is in his plans to make his first appearance for the club since the Palace debacle against Southampton on Saturday. Recent reports have suggested the Gunners are happy to let Xhaka walk away in January, so for the manager to publicly suggest he is keen to reintegrate him into the squad smacks of poor judgement.

It’s the latest in a series of baffling decisions and comments that have only served to crank up the pressure on the manager. You only have to look to after the north London side’s 1-1 draw with Wolves earlier this month, when Emery insisted “tactically it worked how we wanted” –  as per Sofascore, they had 10 total shots compared to the visitors’ 24.

With reports claiming that the Spaniard has just a month to save his job, his stance on Xhaka may be the final big call he makes as an Arsenal manager. And judging by how this season has gone, it already looks like another failure on his part.