Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka admits he'd think twice about accepting the club captaincy again.

The Switzerland international was relinquished of his captaincy duties by then manager Unai Emery back in October after clashing with his own fans during the 2-2 home draw against Crystal Palace.

When quizzed if he feared he had played his last match for the club, Xhaka told the London Evening Standard: "Of course, I don't lie. There was a moment, because it was not easy for me and my family. I hope people understand this.

"But I think I showed my character. I am not a guy who runs away. I always say to the club, 'When I [am] here, I am ready to give everything'.

"It was like this always. I train very hard and that things turned around is the key. This [has given me] the most happiness."

The 27-year-old briefly wore the captain's armband during the 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace in January but he has revealed he was hesitant to take it then.

"I know with or without the armband what I can give the team," he said. "But in this moment [against Palace] I don't want to take the armband back, but Sokratis [Papastathopoulos] and David [Luiz] told me I have to take it.

"If one day the club asks me about the armband, I have to think twice."