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Graeme Souness slams Arsenal star Granit Xhaka after defeat against Tottenham

Lee Clarke

Mon 7 December 2020 19:40, UK

Graeme Souness slammed Granit Xhaka for his part in Harry Kane putting the seal on Tottenham’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal yesterday.

The ex-Scotland star was a pundit in the studio and whilst others blamed Thomas Partey, he took aim at the Switzerland midfielder.

Xhaka has been vastly improved this season but was suspect as Tottenham countered to strike a dagger into Arsenal hearts.

With Partey nursing an injury and calling to come off, Spurs were allowed a man advantage and Souness thinks Xhaka should have done better.

“Leaders don’t allow that to happen on the football pitch. Forget he (Partey) walked off. If he’s injured – he’s screaming at people to come off.

“If you watch Xhaka there, he leaves Lo Celso and just runs into the box.

“As a midfield player, as a central midfield player, a holding central midfield player – I don’t know what Xhaka is, he’s been here for six or seven years and I’m not quite sure what he is – the alarm bells are ringing.”

TBR View – Xhaka one of several players who need to step up

Arsenal are in something of a crisis and it could get worse before things improve.

The Gunners are languishing in 15th place in the Premier League and given the money they spent in the summer, that simply won’t do.

Xhaka is one of several players who have suffered from a drop in form recently but he isn’t the only one.

Mikel Arteta’s men have scored just nine goals this season – less than Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin for context.

The attacking outlets must start stepping up and firing the Gunners up the table and defensively they have to be better.

Xhaka, paid had looked to have turned a corner under Arteta.

For whatever reason, things just aren’t working for him right now and he must work hard to revive his form.