Xhaka sending off harsh but shows similarity to Vieira by Sam P.
Am I just imagining it or have a lot of Arsenal fans been moaning for years about the failure of Arsene Wenger to sign a proper replacement for the former Arsenal captain and central midfield warrior that was Patrick Vieira? So I am amazed to hear that some Gooners have been tearing into Granit Xhaka for doing something that the brilliant Frenchman would have had little qualms doing himself, even though it did result in a red card.
Even after the academy graduate Francis Coquelin came back from his loan spell at Charlton and surprised us all with his fine form and combative performances, recording the best stats in the Premier League for a defensive midfielder, lots of Arsenal fans were calling on the manager to go into the transfer market and spend some big money, which he did this summer to sign Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach.
The Swiss international was seen as a possible new Vieira and although it is still way too early to say, I think it is crazy for us to be down on him so soon into his career at the club, especially for something which was always in the make up of Vieira.
Are we forgetting the disciplinary problems which dogged his time at Arsenal? Vieira shares the unwanted record of eight Premier League red cards with Duncan Ferguson and Richard Dunne, but would you want him back? Of course, so can we just calm down and give Xhaka the same sorty of leeway and a proper chance to make himself a club legend like Vieira?
Sam