ARSENAL DRESSING ROOM CRISIS, senior players losing trust in Arteta’s project

Granit Xhaka’s moment of madness against Burnley was symptomatic of the regime Mikel Arteta has presided over since starting his first full season at the club.

Only a fortnight beforehand, Nicolas Pepe had received his marching orders after launching his head at Ezgjan Alioski during the stalemate against Leeds at Elland Road.

There is talk that many of the players have “mentally clocked out”, including Xhaka who was already not happy at the club after being used in a variety of different roles since Arteta took over.

There are reports that Arteta’s relationship with David Luiz has soured over the past few weeks, with neither the manager or player speaking directly to each other anymore.

David Luiz strongly denies this story about him and Arteta and insists he has a good relationship with Arteta and wishes nothing but success.

Added to the omission of Mesut Ozil and Sokratis in the Premier League and Europa League squads, the fall-out effect of leaving two influential figures in the dressing room has been felt.