Today’s back pages: X-rated Xhaka could lose Arsenal captaincy and Jones urges England to go rule the world

A round-up of the sport headlines from UK newspapers on 28 October

Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka removes his shirt after being substituted in the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace
Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka removes his shirt after being substituted in the 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace
(Image credit: Alex Morton/Getty Images)

Xhaka under fire

The Daily Mirror reports that Granit Xhaka could lose the Arsenal captaincy after his “X-rated stroppy exchange” with fans during yesterday’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.

After being substituted at the Emirates Stadium Swiss midfielder Xhaka was booed by supporters. In reaction he cupped his ear, was seen to shout “f*** off” before taking off his shirt and storming down the tunnel.

The Daily Telegraph says Xhaka’s “meltdown” may cost him and Arsenal head coach Unai Emery agreed that the skipper was “wrong” in his reaction.

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Emery said: “He’s wrong but we are going to speak inside about that situation. I want to be calm but, really, he was wrong in this action.

“We are here because we have supporters. We work for them and need to have respect for them when they are applauding us and criticising us.”

Rule the world

England will face South Africa in next Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final. Eddie Jones’s England destroyed New Zealand 19-7 in the first semi-final on Saturday and the Springboks beat Wales 19-16 in yesterday’s last-four tie.

The Times reports England have “a date with destiny” and The Guardian quotes Jones who has urged his squad to “now go up a level and rule the world”.

England have been warned that the Boks will “fight fire with fire”, says the Daily Mail.

Today’s newspaper back pages