Granit Xhaka has been heavily criticized following the fifth red card he received in his Arsenal career against Liverpool last week. Speaking exclusively on Sky sport, Xhaka has emphasized that is who he is and he cannot change from today to tomorrow.
Gunner’s midfielder says, he likes taking risks following his most recent red card in the Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool. The Switzerland captain insists he will not change the way he plays despite receiving the fifth red card during their Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool last week.
The Arsenal midfielder’s last-man foul on Diogo Jota earned him a straight red card at Anfield, meaning he was suspended for Thursday’s second-leg defeat at the Emirates Stadium. Xhaka faced fierce criticism and apologized on social media following the dismissal, his second of the campaign after he was given his marching orders for a foul on Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo in August, but he insists taking risks is part of his game.
Granit Xhaka in a past match against Liverpool when he received the red card.( Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Xhaka narrates that sometimes, he gets in a position where he has to take a 50:50. It’s risky, of course as people might say, asking why he should always take risks?’ Following the recent match, the Arsenal midfielder cites that if Jota would take the ball and score, they would again complain why he did not stop him?’. “In the end, after the game, everyone is smarter than in the moment – myself as well. Of course, when I see it back now and say, ‘Do I need to go into the duel or not?’ No.
The Switzerland captain earned a straight red card by Michael Oliver at Anfield. Speaking before Thursday’s second leg, had no complaints about his sending off at Anfield but expressed frustration at the Premier League’s use of VAR, particularly in the decision to award Manchester City a penalty against him during Arsenal’s 2-1 loss to Manchester City on New Year’s Day.
Xhaka was deemed to have fouled Bernardo Silva for Manchester City’s penalty against the Gunners but he hopes that in the future the referees will have to make their own decisions. He further said that there is no need to ask people from outside to have a look in slow motion and stuff like that because he believes in slow motion; everything looks harder than it really is.
Arsenal Midfielder celebrates his scores in a past match. (Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Gunner’s midfielder notes that at the end, they are human beings as well. They make mistakes as well and that is part of the job. Everyone makes mistakes. However, there is a need to accept decisions and look forward. He also defended Arsenal’s decision to request the postponement of last weekend’s north London derby against Tottenham, insisting the club had attracted an unfair amount of criticism and thanking Micah Richards for pointing it out.
Arsenal is facing fierce competition from Tottenham, among other clubs, to secure a top-four finish but they have already turned their form around this season and Xhaka believes manager Mikel Arteta has been key to their improvement.
The Gunners have received the most red cards than any other Premier League club since Mikel Arteta’s arrival in December 2019, meanwhile, Xhaka has been sent for an early bath a total of 12 times throughout his professional career. The midfielder is of the view that his foul on Jota was more of a punishable offence than his foul at the Etihad, but has called for VAR to be axed regardless of whether the correct decision was made on either occasion.
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