London –
Midfielder Arsenal Granit Xhaka again sharply criticized after getting his second red card of the season. Xhaka said it was part of the game.
The incident occurred when Arsenal drew Liverpool 0-0 in the semifinal first leg English League Cup a week ago. Xhaka was shown a straight red card when he tried to stop Andy Robertson’s crossing. Xhaka lifted his leg so high that it hit Diogo Jota’s chest, who then fell to the ground.
Prior to this the 29-year-old footballer received another red card in Arsenal’s 5-0 loss at the hands of Manchester City earlier in the season. That means Xhaka has collected six red cards since joining the Gunners in 2016.
Xhaka’s high -risk style of play makes him a frequent target of criticism. Even so, Jaca seemed unwilling to change his playing style.
“For me it’s not difficult because it’s part of our job,” he told beIN SPORTS. “It’s easy to talk when things are going well. Of course, no player wants to get a red card and be suspended and can only help his team from the outside.”
“But I can’t change it, it’s already happened and I’m looking forward and I’m trying to help the team as much as possible from off the pitch.”
“I didn’t talk to him [Mikel Arteta] about the red card. I’ve never done this before either. This is something I have to be careful with, but this is my game. I’m the kind of person and player that when I’m 50/50 I like to take risks.”
“I realize sometimes it’s wrong, but when things go well nobody talks about it. But when things go wrong or worse like what happened against Liverpool then people start talking. What can I do now?”
“We can discuss it until tomorrow morning about it and say how we can change it or not but I’m looking forward. I wish I could play on Sunday, but I’m now suspended for two games. Jaca add.
(rin / krs)
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