Michael Owen has responded to Granit Xhaka’s interview, where he called out some of his teammates following their 2-0 loss to Newcastle United.
That defeat means unless Tottenham lost to Norwich on the last day of the season, Arsenal will miss out on a place in the top four.
After the game, Xhaka suggested that some of his teammates were nervous and they didn’t have to play in it if they weren’t comfortable.
The former Liverpool and Newcastle United striker, Owen has now hit back at the Swiss midfielder.
The pundit said, as quoted by Football London: “As you say, Granit Xhaka coming out and he’s let them down a fair few times over the years. Getting silly sending offs.
“Left them in the lurch. So he doesn’t learn his lesson either.
“If he’s the captain, then he’s not showing a great example, is he to those young players he is supposedly having a go at.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Xhaka is one of our most senior players and he is a leading figure in the dressing room.
But he is also guilty of making some key mistakes when he plays for the club and he shouldn’t have made those statements in public.
Nevertheless, for now, we just need to focus on our final game of the season and get the job done while hoping for a miracle from the Tottenham match.
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Michael Owen for once telling it how it is. I actually really appreciate that clarity.
Xhaka seems to do this every season now; comes out and talks in a way where its like he’s blaming his teammates and excluding himself, but maintains just enough plausible deniability to get away with it for many
i agree with xhaka’s comment 100%, in the comment he said “we” so he’s not excluding himself.. the players were not ready for the match, they nervous and pressure get to them so xhaka is right…
Take into account that he knows the team have just blown CL qualification, played with no composure, passion, tactics and his outburst might be more plausible.
I do agree, though, it should have stayed behind closed doors.
as I said earlier, this was another contrived and entitled moment by a player who should have been ushered out of town several years prior…this likewise suggests a couple rather disconcerting things, (1) that this thirsty wantaway bang average player will likely be back again and in the regular starting lineup next season, which is a disturbing notion, and (2) this clown doesn’t want to wear the armband, yet clearly feels he’s the “true” captain of this squad, which is another cake and eat it scenario that’s a exceedingly bad look for both our club and our manager
Good to see you back again TRVL – I’m sure we’ll cross swords again ⚔️⚔️⚔️
cheers Ken…I get the sense that we’re more on the same page than not nowadays…what an interesting development…hope all is well with you and yours
Ditto and you may be right!!
Keep dreaming the bridge 🌉 is already broken down Isat