Granit Xhaka and the Critical Feedback Conundrum

“When you give success to stupid people, it makes them more stupid sometimes and not more intelligent.” – Arsène Wenger

As you may be aware, I am a long time supporter of Arsenal FC (by far the greatest team the world has ever seen). Over the last 25 years in particular, the club has seen many ups and downs, from completing their third league and FA Cup double in 2002 and their unparalleled Invincibles season in 03/04, to the 10–2 aggregate loss to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League (or maybe it was the 8–2 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford). Through thick and thin, Arsenal has always had a sense of unity, class, dignity and decorum about it which ran from the board to the fans and set it apart from other clubs both in England and around the world (although I acknowledge our North London neighbours would probably call it arrogance).

Sorry, not sorry

It’s called the Arsenal Way, and it’s been a hallmark of how the club and its community carry themselves for many years.

That is, until recently.

I can’t quite pinpoint when it started, but in recent years, there is a palpable sense…