Craig Burley thinks Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka ‘never learns’ after he was involved in a few heated exchanges during Switzerland’s epic 3-2 win over Serbia at the Qatar World Cup, as he told ESPN.
In typical Xhaka fashion, the now-popular Arsenal star was involved in many feisty challenges during the game, even rattling the Serbia bench in the second half.
At one point, there were also a few handbags between the Basel-born player, who is of Albanian background, and Serbia’s goalkeeper, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
Given the 30-year-old’s past history with Serbia, it’s no surprise that the game panned out the way it did.
But Arsenal’s £30 million star (Sky Sports) had the last laugh because his side progressed to the knockout stages, whilst the Serbs are on the flight back home.
Whilst former Scotland international Burley thinks Xhaka has ‘improved’, he’s not sure that his character has changed much.
“I am not sure he’s that smart,” said Burley. “You are talking about a leopard not changing his spots. I know he’s improved at Arsenal.
“He got involved. I would say it was more the (Serbia) keeper to start. But you are through. You are an older player now. When the keeper, the big guy who is 6ft7 starts man-handling you and all the other guys come in, then walk away. He walked away, then he went back. He walked away and went back. He kept going back.
“By the way, when it was all set and done. When he was walking back for the free-kick to be taken. He was still mouthing away to Mitrovic.
“The guy just never learns. He is slightly better, but he hasn’t learned.”
XHAKA LEADING THE CHARGE
To no-one’s surprise, Xhaka is doing the business for his country again, and on the international stage.
In years gone by, Arsenal fans were wondering why that form couldn’t be replicated when he donned their colours.
Well, it’s happening now and he is just improving by the day because he is one of many Arsenal players, including Bukayo Saka, who is shining bright on the World Cup stage.
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