Granit Xhaka has been a huge talking point this week and unfortunately none of it has been positive, but is it too early to consider his purchase a mistake?
The Swiss midfielder got himself sent off for a two-footed lunge in the weekend’s 2-1 win over Burnley, and his actions so very nearly cost his side the win.
Alexis Sanchez scored a 97th minute stoppage time winner to seal all three points, but Xhaka’s sending off was completely unnecessary, and Wenger is known to be livid with his actions, which put his entire team in trouble.
The 24 year-old has now found himself badly represented by the press for supposed racist remarks at Heathrow Airport. He supposedly called a staff member a ‘f****** white b****’ after his brother-in-law to-be was refused entry onto a flight.
The player obviously denied the situation, although FC Monchengladbach’s Lekaj who was the person refused onto the flight, was not accused of any such actions.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Police were called at 19:29hrs on Monday, 23 January following an allegation that a member of staff had been racially abused at Heathrow Airport, Terminal Five.
“The allegation was made by a third party. Officers attended and spoke with a man in his 20s. He was not arrested.
“He voluntarily attended a west London police station where he was interviewed under caution. Inquiries continue.”
An Arsenal spokesperson said: “This is a private matter which is in the hands of the police.”
This tops a terrible week regarding the player’s attitude and discipline, and raises huge questions over whether we need to reassess our midfield options.
Can we trust Xhaka’s temperament and discipline as we move forward as a club? Is he a liability? Or is the airport drama and sending off being overplayed?
Pat J