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Mikel Arteta admitted that Granit Xhaka “crossed the line” after the midfielder received a direct red card for grabbing Ashley Westwood by the neck during Arsenal’s 1-0 loss to Burnley.
“We were at the top from the beginning until the moment of expulsion,” Arteta said. Sky sports. “We threw the game.”
Xhaka was initially given a yellow card for the incident, but referee Graham Scott changed his decision to red after consulting the pitch monitor at the Emirates Stadium.
Xhaka’s petulance proved costly for Arsenal, who had appeared on the rise early in the second half after a poor performance in the first half, with an own goal from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the 73rd minute that finally consigned them. to their seventh defeat of the season in the Premier League.
When asked if Xhaka’s behavior was unacceptable at his post-match press conference, Arteta said: “Absolutely.”
And he added: “He has made a mistake, of course, that has cost us.
“We were prepared, knowing that this was a game we clearly had to win, but with 10 men it makes it much more difficult. You give the opponent a chance and you end up losing on a set piece.”
Xhaka’s red card paved the way for Arsenal’s seventh Premier League defeat of the season
Arsenal were fortunate that Xhaka’s midfield teammate Mohamed Elneny was not sent off as well after he appeared to raise his hands to James Tarkowski’s face moments before Burnley’s decisive goal, and Arteta feels his players they must show greater discipline.
“I think it is unacceptable to do that action is because the players are at a time when they are so willing to do more, to fight more, to show how committed they are, to be alive in the games, that this time Granit is has surpassed “. the line, “he said.
“There is another action with Mo that I have not seen but that seems similar. We cannot make that mistake because it is the wrong approach to what we are trying to do.”
2:32
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said his team controlled much of the game against Burnley and should have won it long before Granit Xhaka was sent off.
The final whistle at the Emirates Stadium was greeted with boos, but Arteta insisted that the 2,000 fans present were behind the team during the match and thanked them for their support.
“The players are hurt but thank you very much to the fans because I think they were tremendous, behind the team with the support they were giving, knowing how difficult it has been for all of us in this competition in recent weeks,” he said.
“I think they reacted like that because they saw how the team tried, how they did it, how much passion they put into the game.” [despite] our limitations. “
He continued to defend the efforts of his players, adding: “A team that is struggling, you normally don’t see them playing like they played today and like they played against the Spurs against the leaders.
“But again, we lost the game. We gave the opponent a chance and he scored.”
Souness: Arsenal players just aren’t good enough
Graeme Souness from Sky Sports:
“Arteta has been let down by his players. These players are not good enough to play for Arsenal. They are within a mile of the country from where they should be. They are not a very good team.
“Before the game I wrote the players that I would put my house on. I like Leno and Tierney. Aubayameng is a top player. That’s three. And I’m going through the rest of them and I’m fighting.”
Smith: Arsenal must stay with Arteta
Alan Smith from Sky Sports:
“Arteta has made mistakes, but you will do it along the way. By extending David Luiz’s contract, Willian looks like a strange signing and has a lot of money, and someone like Cedric Soares enters the club. They are spending a large part of the ‘salary’. -Invoice on players of a certain age.
“Arteta will scratch his head on how to change. But as a coach, you are only as good as your players and he doesn’t have a good enough group. He has some promising guys who are doing well in the Europa League and he will be looking at that for him. Southampton match and beyond, you need to do something, you need to change this pattern.
“I don’t remember a time when Arsenal were in this position.
“Arteta has kept faith in Xhaka, surprisingly I think, and spoiled it. It’s just that lack of discipline that causes the side to fall off. When you’re in a hole, you don’t need to keep digging. He has let his team – Fallen companions and it has cost them the game.
“There are so many problems at the soccer club. Behind the scenes, there will be players pointing fingers at Arteta. He has to deal with it. You just hope the hierarchy stays with him and gives him the authority to do what he wants.” . we will try to do it for the next few years. “
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