Former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka has admitted that being booed off by his own fans in 2019 'game me even more strength' and the chance to 'show my personality'.
The Switzerland international says the discord stemmed from 'a misunderstanding between the fans and me'.
In a match against Crystal Palace in 2019, Xhaka threw off his armband in response to jeers from the crowd and was subsequently stripped off the captaincy and exiled from the matchday squad.
Four years later, he has left to join Bayer Leverkusen for £21.5m after rebuilding his reputation to become a popular and admired player at the Emirates.
Speaking with Blick, he said: 'I was Arsenal captain in 2019. Then came this story with the fans. I never had any problems with the boys and the club.
'It was more a misunderstanding between the fans and me. Coming back to Arsenal like that afterwards gave me even more strength.
'I was able to show what personality is in me. I don't like talking about myself. But you can also praise yourself if the journalists don’t praise you that much. Seriously, you learn from things like that.
'You get stronger. At the end I was allowed to leave to great applause. That was my number one goal. Am I a ready leader? I would not say that. I'm sure I'll still make mistakes, that's part of it. But certainly, less than before.'
Across six season in north London, the midfielder managed to make 297 appearances, proving his consistent worth to the team even when relations were strained.
After winning a vote among players to be captain for the 2019/20 season, lots of fans went into meltdown and could not believe he was the captain of their club, seen as a loose cannon.
Over time, he was converted that loose cannon image into one of a lovable rogue, somebody who will commit everything for the badge, and he left the Gunners with his head held high.