Graeme Souness has slammed Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka for getting himself his latest yellow card, which may well have cost his side a place in the Euro 2020 semi-final stage.
Switzerland pulled off an amazing comeback to overturn a 3-1 deficit late into their round of 16 clash with France, with Xhaka teeing up Haris Seferovic late on to send the match into extra time, before going onto win the tie on penalties. Unfortunately for Xhaka however, he also picked up a yellow card during that matchup, resulting in him being banned from the quarter-final against Spain, which ultimately went to penalties also. Switzerland were not so lucky this time around however…
Souness has now slammed Xhaka overall, insisting that he has never been a fan of the 28 year-old, who he claims should have learned better by his current age.
Souness told ITV(via the Metro): ‘Don’t ask me.
‘This guy got booked 42 times in five seasons for Arsenal. At his age, you’d think he would learn not to get himself in trouble.
‘It was the same coming from German football he got booked there all the time. I’ve never fancied him when I’ve watched him at Arsenal, he never did it for me his decision making.
‘Yeah he was good enough on the ball but he neglected the basics at times for me.’
Whether Xhaka would have been able to help Switzerland to overcome the Spanish will have to remain unknown, but I believe many Gunners fans have the same issues with the midfielder, and some sections will certainly feel a little relieved if he does depart this summer as has been rumoured, with the Metro also stating he is ‘edging closer’ to a Roma move.
Patrick