Granit Xhaka saw red for a tackle on Swansea’s Modou Barrow during Arsenal’s thrilling 3-2 victory at the Emirates. Fans on twitter were dismayed by the referee’s decision, even calling upon the club to launch a formal appeal.
It was far from a comfortable victory against Swansea for Arsenal as they emerged 3-2 victors on Saturday at the Emirates. And Granit Xhaka’s red card did little to lighten the pressure on the Gunners in the closing stages of the game as Swansea came within a goal of completing an unlikely come-back in new coach Bob Bradley’s first outing.
Xhaka doesn’t have a particularly good disciplinary record from his time at the Bundesliga and his sending off on Saturday at the Emirates took his tally of red cards to 4 in the last year and to 8 in the last two. Arsene Wenger was critical of the Swiss midfielder’s behaviour and insisted that the 24-year-old needed to learn to keep his emotions in check.
Fans, however, were left debating the extent of punishment dished out to Xhaka with a significant number of the opinion that the foul was certainly worth a yellow but not a straight red.
Arsenal ought to appeal the Xhaka red card, they should win the appeal and Jon Moss should spend next week watching Soccer Saturday.
— Tim Stillman (@Stillberto) October 15, 2016
WATCH: Arsene Wenger is not sure Granit Xhaka deserved a red & wants to see more from #AFC: https://t.co/uPwidYe48g https://t.co/YTQkh0pPWr
— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) October 15, 2016
Arsene Wenger on Granit Xhaka’s red card for Arsenal: “It looked to me a dark yellow… but the referee gave a bright red.” pic.twitter.com/EaPXAiWGYm
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) October 15, 2016
Phew. 3-2.
Loved @theowalcott.
Sensational goal by @MesutOzil1088.
Idiotic behaviour by Xhaka. #afc— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 15, 2016
Most red cards in Europe’s top 5 leagues since 2015/16:
G. Xhaka (4)
G. Paletta
J. Murillo
K. Malcuit
A. Devaux
V. Wanyama (all 3) pic.twitter.com/E3y9K1KWqQ— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 15, 2016
The Xhaka sending off, btw, makes you wonder if the tactical yellow might be the big clampdown for 2017.
— Rory Smith (@RorySmith) October 15, 2016
Imagine even asking for a red for that Xhaka trip in Sunday League???? Someone would lamp you for the cheek
— Chris Dixon (@chrismd10) October 15, 2016
I am 100% behind the decision to send off Xhaka for that challenge. Nothing but cynical, nasty and no intent to play.
— Karl Matchett (@karlmatchett) October 15, 2016
Granit Xhaka: surprisingly permeable
— Rory Smith (@RorySmith) October 15, 2016
Observations from today’s game:
Xhaka isn’t there, yet.
Mustafi is, and some.
Monreal is really off.
Jon Moss is truly truly awful.— Nic English (@nicwenglish) October 15, 2016
Did you know chants xhaka has never had 2 red cards in one game #respect #Xhaka
— jonathancosway (@jonnycozza) October 15, 2016
Only downside was Xhaka today. For me it was a red. Seen so many of those which have been given a yellow when they should of been a red #afc
— Matt Sheppard (@matt_sheppard4) October 15, 2016
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