HISTORY is repeating itself.
On Sunday night Granit Xhaka was given a red card before Arsenal crashed to a 1-0 defeat at home to Burnley.
Granit Xhaka grabs Ashley Westwood of Burnley round the throat[/caption]
The incident made a mockery of his claims in his programme notes ahead of the Premier League game where he talked about “discipline” and “respect” being important to him.
“I’m a guy who is very organised,” Xhaka wrote.
“This is maybe my best thing – for me, organisation, discipline and respect for other people are very, very important. I grew up like this and I will pass it on to my little one.”
His latest misdemeanour is one of five crazy moments the former Gunners captain has shown his indiscipline.
TELLING GOONERS TO F*** OFF
It was the moment that seemed had put the final nail in the coffin for the Swiss international’s career in North London.
After all, telling your fans to “f*** off” as you leave the football pitch when you’ve been substituted could be unforgivable.
Xhaka, 28, was reacting to Arsenal fans booing him off the pitch following a disappointing performance against Crystal Palace last season.
He refused to apologise for the incident, but was stripped of the captaincy.
Incredibly, he managed to resurrect his career at the Emirates.
After being subbed off against Crystal Palace Xhaka was met with a chorus off boos by Arsenal fans[/caption]
BURNLEY AGAIN!
It seems like Sean Dyche and Burnley’s stars did their homework.
Back in 2017, Xhaka was given his marching orders for a clumsy tackle on Steven Defour.
The Clarets were threatening to counter, until the midfielder scythed down Defour with a two-footed lunge.
That day, however, Arsenal managed to win the game.
Xhaka was sent off against Burnley before, this time for a two-footed lunge in 2017[/caption]
IT’S A PENALTY!
There’s no bigger game than the North London derby for Arsenal fans.
Score and you’re a hero forever. Make a blunder, and you’ll certainly make some enemies.
Playing as a more defensive-minded player, Xhaka will concede the odd penalty here and there. Bournemouth. Check. Brighton. Check.
But against Spurs, with your side trailing 1-0 already, the last thing you do is dive in on Heung-min Son in the penalty area.
Harry Kane stepped up to make it 2-0, but the Gunners managed to fight back for a 2-2 draw.
Xhaka needlessly gifted Tottenham a penalty in last season’s North London derby[/caption]
DUCK!
Standing at 6ft 1in, with a solid build, you’d think Xhaka would throw his body into the line of fire?
So when Manchester United star Scott McTominay rocketed a shot towards goal at Old Trafford last season and Xhaka is standing in front of it, Arsenal fans would’ve been shouting at their TVs ‘close it down!’
Unforgivably, Xhaka chose to duck and the ball flew into the net to put United 1-0 up.
A Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang goal spared Xhaka’s blushes as Arsenal drew 1-1.
As Scott McTominay let fly Xhaka, out of picture, gets ready to duck[/caption]
POOR DISTRIBUTION
Arsenal fans will tell you whenever Xhaka is in possession they’re having kittens with what he’s going to do next with the ball.
Often, Xhaka’s distribution has put his side in trouble – gifting a loose pass to an opposition player in a dangerous position.
Last season, he did that against Wolves – handing the ball to Ivan Cavaleiro in front of his shell-shocked defenders.
Cavaleiro went on to score almost straight after, and although he’s done that before this was probably his worst gaffe.
Giving the ball away in dangerous positions has always been Xhaka’s problem at Arsenal[/caption]
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk