When will Xhaka learn from his mistakes?
Arsenal were cruising three-nil and were in complete control in their match against Leeds United.
Three minutes into the second half, Granit Xhaka made a reckless challenge on Raphinha. When the decision went to VAR, I thought a sending off was inevitable for the Swiss international.
Somehow the Gunners got lucky and Xhaka escaped without even getting booked. Any other day and that challenge could easily have seen the former Arsenal captain walking off the pitch.
That incident begs the question of whether Xhaka will ever learn from his past mistakes? The 29-year-old has made several pointless tackles which have cost the team dearly in the past.
The Manchester City one is the latest that comes to mind. Last season, it was against Burnley.
It seems like there is no separation to the marriage between red cards and Granit Xhaka. Maybe now it is better for the Arsenal faithful to accept the player the former Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder really is.
He’s not in his early 20s. He’s not someone who’s just getting to terms with the men’s game.
From the latest incident, Xhaka has proved that he forever will be a rash player, who loses focus every now and then.
That’s the very fabric of the player the captain of the Switzerland national squad is today.
Last summer, the midfielder looked destined to move away from North London. Thus, it won’t be surprising if he departs the Emirates Stadium come the summer of 2022.
Almost every Arsenal fan would admit that the team will be better served with an upgrade at the center of the park.
Who it will be is still a question up for discussion.
There is no doubt in the fact that Xhaka has been a crucial player to the Arsenal team, both on and off the pitch, since his arrival.
His absence is always duly missed and felt whenever he isn’t standing on the grass.
But if the North London outfit acquire a half decent midfielder with bags of potential, whether Xhaka will be missed by fans would be a very good question to ask in the future.