Unai Emery chat with Granit Xhaka sparked touchline celebration
Arsenal duo celebrated together after equaliser at Crystal Palace
Sunday 28 October 2018 17:16, UK
Unai Emery has revealed he encouraged Granit Xhaka to take more set-pieces, which triggered the touchline embrace between the pair after Xhaka's goal for Arsenal against Crystal Palace.
The Gunners' 11-game winning run came to an end at Selhurst Park, with the Eagles scoring twice from the penalty spot in a pulsating 2-2 draw on Super Sunday.
A stunning free-kick from Xhaka drew Arsenal level at 1-1 after the break and the Switzerland international sprinted over to the touchline to celebrate with Emery.
Explaining why Xhaka ran over to him to celebrate, Emery said: "At half-time we spoke about this situation - he has good quality from free-kicks and also to try to make more crosses. I tried to push him to do that. He has the quality to do that."
Xhaka backed up his manager's quotes when quizzed about his celebration.
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"I chose to shoot because the coach asked me why I didn't take the corners or the free-kicks in the first half," he told Arsenal's official website.
"I think it was the first free-kick of the second half, so I took it. I was happy that I could score, but we can't be so happy after the game."
Arsenal were searching for a record-breaking 12th straight win in all competitions that would have put them level on points with second-placed Chelsea.
However, Wilfried Zaha teased Xhaka into a debatable foul inside the box late on and Luka Milivojevic stayed cool to net his second penalty and draw Palace level after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had put Arsenal 2-1 up.
"I am disappointed with the result but our work is good," Emery said.
"It was a hard match. It's not easy when they push with their supporters. The draw is not bad - over the 90 minutes the two teams deserved this result."