Martin Keown has told TalkSPORT (Friday, 10.15AM) that Granit Xhaka needs to deliver a public explanation for his red card against Liverpool – and recent lack of discipline. The Arsenal star saw red again, on Thursday.
Xhaka, 29, was sent off for the fifth time in his Arsenal career and the second time this season, on Thursday night. With the scoreline 0-0, a long ball saw Diogo Jota race towards the goal – but Xhaka brought him down.
Not only was it a foul, but it was a near-impossible tackle that was never going to work – contacting Jota well above the knee. He saw red, and Xhaka had to count on his teammates to superbly keep Liverpool at bay,
Arsenal legend Keown believes the Gunners player is on his last-chance saloon and has ordered the midfielder to give an explanation for his latest rush of blood. This, while wearing the captain’s armband on Thursday.
“We need an explanation from the player, it is the second red card of the season – I don’t know what was going through his mind. It was a stupid thing for the captain to do,” Keown told TalkSPORT.
“It was a definite red card, it was a stupid thing to do. He didn’t need to make that challenge. He needs to clean up his act, he is costing us. He must be on his last-chance saloon.”
Keown on Xhaka: Why did Arsenal hand midfielder a new deal?
Of course, his move to Roma in the summer fell through despite all parties seemingly – or at least, initially – open to the transfer. He has stayed, but why did he need to be given a new contract at Arsenal?
Xhaka’s previous deal was until June 2023 – but the new deal could keep him at the club until 2025, if a one-year extension is activated. But realistically, is he a part of Mikel Arteta’s long-term vision? Probably not.
Keown is right, Xhaka is playing on his last chance – and if there is a half-decent bid tabled for the Switzerland man, then he needs to go.
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