Ian Wright has claimed that Granit Xhaka didn’t foul Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the build-up of Arsenal’s second goal against Tottenham on Sunday.
The Highbury legend admitted that he would have liked the combative Arsenal midfielder to be ‘more aware’, but he thinks the right call was made to play on, as he told Premier League Productions (26/09/21 at 5:25 pm)
When trying to play the ball out from the back, Aaron Ramsdale played the ball short, with Xhaka lunging to try and get the ball and catching Hojbjerg in the process.
No foul was given, the game was played on and the home team struck with their second of the match in a first-half blitz.
In truth, the £30 million player (Sky Sports), who produced a number of fouls during the game, was probably lucky to not receive another booking in the second half.
But this is what Wright made of it all, as he also admitted that such fouls have been given before.
“This was a very good goal,” said Wright. “I know there are people talking about maybe there was a foul at the start.
“You have seen fouls like that given. But just from here, this is where Arsenal are all over them. Everything is a yard in front of Tottenham. It’s quicker. Great awareness from Smith Rowe to get the ball to Aubameyang.
“For me, I wouldn’t like to see that foul given. I would like to see Xhaka be more aware, to be honest.”
In the end, Xhaka, in what was his first start since getting sent off during the 5-0 drubbing of Manchester City, limped off with what looked like an issue with his knee.
Xhaka was his old typical self during the game, aggressive, at the heart of the action, picking up the ball in pressure situations, making some rash challenges and getting booked.
There’s no doubt that he is a marmite-like figure with the Arsenal supporters, but they appreciated what they saw today.
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