Arsenal head coach Unai Emery defended Granit Xhaka after he was booed by his own supporters during Sunday's pulsating 3-2 Premier League win over Aston Villa.
The Gunners, who had Ainsley Maitland-Niles sent off in the first half, looked to be heading for a sorry home defeat as John McGinn and Wesley scored for Villa either side of Nicolas Pepe's first goal for the club.
Calum Chambers levelled in the 81st minute, though, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sealed a dramatic three points with a superb free-kick six minutes from time.
That late jubilation was a far cry from the scenes that greeted Xhaka's removal for Joe Willock earlier in the half, with large numbers of the home faithful audibly expressing their dissatisfaction with the Switzerland international's display.
Emery, however, said the 26-year-old Xhaka is still very much part of his plans and wants to see more support for him from fans.
"We need our supporters and we need them helping each player," he told a media conference. "It is our responsibility to transmit our commitment and Xhaka is doing this.
"And the Emirates goes absolutely bonkers!"
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 22, 2019
@Aubameyang7 raises the roof in N5 #ARSAVL pic.twitter.com/ILK2WVEZuH
"He played very well on Thursday [against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League] and last week at Watford he did well. Here, I changed him because he played for 90 minutes on Thursday and I wanted to bring fresh players on.
"But Xhaka is a very important player for us. He has a big commitment here, he is improving. I am not asking people to support him but I assure you he is going to achieve his best things if the supporters help him.
"We are professional; Xhaka is an experienced player and he knows sometimes we can receive criticism and we need to be mature and continue working.
"For me he is a very important player and I am going to support him. I am going to decide when he plays and when he doesn't, but he is important for us because his commitment and behaviour is great and he is a good player."
Matteo Guendouzi was central to Arsenal's stirring second-half display, winning the penalty which was converted by Pepe and driving forward the Gunners at every opportunity.
Emery was full of praise for the 20-year-old and said he has exactly the kind of attitude he wants from his players.
"With Matteo, last year when he came here he progressed and he is progressing," he said. "Really, I like that spirit he has. He has talent but above all I like his attitude, his energy, his commitment and his behaviour.
"He's one player who is angry when he is not playing but I like that. When you decide that they play you know they will give you what you need.
"I want to be calm with him. He is humble, continuing to improve and growing up with us."
Top Headlines
Featured Matches
Football
Arsenal
English Premier League
2-0
Brighton and Hove Albion
Aston Villa
English Premier League
2-0
Chelsea
Fulham
English Premier League
0-1
Newcastle United
Leeds United
English Premier League
2-0
West Bromwich Albion
Leicester City
English Premier League
2-1
Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester City
English Premier League
2-0
Everton
Liverpool
English Premier League
1-0
Crystal Palace
Cricket
Sussex
Sri Lanka
Teams will be announced at the toss
Multan Sul..
Quetta Gla..
Teams will be announced at the toss
Islamabad..
Karachi Ki..
Teams will be announced at the toss
Peshawar Z..
Lahore Qal..
Teams will be announced at the toss
Islamabad..
Quetta Gla..
Teams will be announced at the toss
Lahore Qal..
Islamabad..
Teams will be announced at the toss
Mumbai Ind..
Delhi Capi..
Teams will be announced at the toss