Arsenal's Granit Xhaka says he will continue trying risky tackles

Granit Xhaka insists he will not change the way he plays despite receiving the FIFTH red card of his Arsenal career for horror challenge on Liverpool forward Diogo Jota last week… as he admits he was wrong to attempt tackle

  • Granit Xhaka, 29, was sent off for the fifth time in Arsenal colours last week
  • He has also received a staggering 63 yellow cards since joining the club in 2016
  • However, the Swiss midfielder says he will continue to attempt risky tackles
  • As a team, Arsenal have a horrific disciplinary record under Mikel Arteta

Granit Xhaka says he will not change the way he plays, despite coming in for criticism for his dreadful disciplinary record.

The midfielder, 29, received the fifth red card of his Arsenal career when he was sent off in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool last week for a horrendous last-man challenge on Diogo Jota.

Jota was bearing down on goal at Anfield when Xhaka swung out a leg to kick him in the chest, leaving referee Michael Oliver with little choice but to send the Swiss international for an early bath.

Granit Xhaka was sent off for a horror challenge on Diogo Jota in the Carabao Cup last week

The Swiss midfielder says that he will not change the way he plays despite facing criticism

‘It’s not like I’m planning this,’ Xhaka said in an interview Sky Sports. ‘It’s not like I’m doing this on purpose.

‘But sometimes, I am in a position where I have to take a 50:50. It’s risky, of course. Now people will say, “Yeah, but why do you always [take] risks?”

‘This is who I am. I can’t change myself from today to tomorrow. Of course, I need to improve and I know I need to improve.

‘But in this moment, if Jota takes the ball and he scores, they will say again, ‘Why didn’t you stop him?’ Now, I stop him, they say, ‘Why do you get the red card?’

‘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.’

Xhaka has received five red cards since signing for Arsenal from Borussia Monchengladbach

Xhaka has also received a staggering 63 yellow cards in an Arsenal shirt and his record is reflective of a wider issue at the Emirates Stadium.

Since Mikel Arteta took charge in December 2019, the Gunners have been shown 14 red cards, which is six more than any other Premier League side in that time.

Xhaka is suspended for Arsenal’s home game against struggling Burnley on Sunday, as is Thomas Partey who was sent off in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool on Thursday.




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