MIKEL ARTETA has labelled Granit Xhaka’s pink card in opposition to Burnley as “completely unacceptable” – and mentioned it was “worse than Nicolas Pepe’s”.
The Swiss midfielder was sent off in the 1-0 defeat after a scuffle noticed him seize Ashley Westwood by the throat.
Mikel Arteta was not impressed after Granit Xhaka’s pink card price ArsenalCredit score: Reuters
After initially being given a yellow card, referee Graham Scott checked the VAR and changed his decision to a straight pink.
With the Gunners down to 10 males, Burnley went on to win 1-0 – their first ever victory at Arsenal – as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a horror personal purpose.
And Spanish boss Arteta, who has now seen the stress on him ramped up even additional, was removed from impressed with Xhaka.
Requested if Xhaka’s pink card was ‘unacceptable’ like Pepe’s vs Leeds earlier this month, Arteta mentioned: “Identical phrases.
“In these circumstances even worse. The circumstances we’re in, with out successful soccer matches, you can’t try this.
“I believe it’s associated into how a lot will and vitality they need to put within the video games that they overstep the road.
“It’s not an excuse as a result of I need to be courageous and be there to do what now we have executed at present once more – since you simply give the sport to the opponent.”
Pepe was banned for 3 video games earlier than being built-in again into the squad – Xhaka will now miss Arsenal’s subsequent three league video games.
Swiss midfielder Xhaka grabbed Ashley Westwood by the throatCredit score: Reuters
The Spaniard added: “[Xhaka’s] made a mistake, the dominance we had at that time… it’s a sport we clearly needed to win however down to 10 males you give the opponent an opportunity.
“Sure it’s unacceptable to do this motion however it’s as a result of they’re so keen to do extra, battle extra, and on this event Granit overstepped the road.
“We can’t make that mistake as a result of it’s the fallacious method for us.”
A seventh defeat in 12 Premier League video games means Arsenal are actually struggling down in fifteenth place and and not using a win in 5.
Arsenal host Southampton on Wednesday, earlier than a visit to Everton on Saturday.
Arteta added: “I desire to play in 72 hours. The gamers are hurting.
“Thanks a lot to the followers as a result of I believe they have been great behind the staff with the assist that they have been giving, and realizing how tough it has been for us on this competitors in current weeks.
“I believe they react like that as a result of they see the staff, how they try to how they go about it, how a lot ardour they put into the sport with no limitations.”
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