Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists referees are too quick to book Granit Xhaka due to his bad reputation

  • Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has been booked in each of his last five games  
  • But Arsene Wenger believes referees are too quick to put him into the book 
  • Wenger does admit that Xhaka must try to address a problem with his tackling 
  • He joined the Gunners last year for £35million from Borussia Monchengladbach 

Arsene Wenger admits Granit Xhaka must address a problem with his tackling technique but fears the Swiss international has become a victim of his bad reputation.

Xhaka has been booked in each of five appearances since he was sent off against Burnley, in January, his third red card of the season for club and country.

The Arsenal manager believes the 24-year-old midfielder is a 'fair player' who is booked by referees when others escape.

Arsene Wenger says referees are too quick to book Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka

Arsene Wenger says referees are too quick to book Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka

'He is in a position where on the first foul he gets a yellow card,' said Arsenal boss Wenger. 'He is a victim a little bit of his reputation. For example against Lincoln, a soft yellow card.


'You see tackles by some players much worse than what he did [against Burnley] and they don't even get a yellow card.

'He got a straight red, because he had a history of that in Germany. I think he is a victim of that.'

Last season, Xhaka received three red cards and eight yellows playing for Borussia Monchengladbach before he was signed by Arsenal for £35million.

Xhaka been booked in each of five appearances since he was sent off against Burnley

Xhaka been booked in each of five appearances since he was sent off against Burnley

'The way he tackles is not to hurt people,' said Wenger. 'It is more a consequence of the fact that he doesn't master well the technique of tackling.

'He has improved a lot since he has arrived but he still has to work on his one against one. You can always improve.

'Overall he's in quite a positive way. He masters himself much better. He was before maybe looking too much to impress.

'When he defends well, staying on his feet, he is a fair player. He has to stay on this ground because it is tackling that can get him sent off.'

He was booked in Arsenal's 5-0 win over Lincoln City the FA Cup quarter-finals last weekend

He was booked in Arsenal's 5-0 win over Lincoln City the FA Cup quarter-finals last weekend

Season at a glance

  • Premier League
  • Premier League
  • Championship
  • League One
  • League Two
  • Scottish Premiership
  • Scottish Div 1
  • Scottish Div 2
  • Scottish Div 3
  • Ligue 1
  • Serie A
  • La Liga
  • Bundesliga

Xhaka's debut season at Arsenal has drawn unfavourable comparisons with N'Golo Kante, a central midfielder who cost Chelsea £5m less and is touted as a potential Footballer of the Year.

'They are different type of players,' said Wenger. 'Xhaka is more about the distribution of the pass through the lines and Kante is more the ball-winner with the real technique to steal the ball without making the foul.

'You can compare more Kante with Francis Coquelin.'

Arsenal needed a late goal from Olivier Giroud to beat West Bromwich Albion 1-0 on Boxing Day and travel to The Hawthorns on Saturday hoping to end a run of one win in seven away games against teams managed by Tony Pulis at a time when more dropped points will seriously damage their hopes of a top-four finish.

Wenger's Arsenal travel to West Brom on Saturday who are eighth in the Premier League

Wenger's Arsenal travel to West Brom on Saturday who are eighth in the Premier League

'I respect Tony Pulis,' said Wenger. 'When you look at his achievements over the years he has been consistent with West Brom, and before that Stoke and at Crystal Palace for a short time as well.

'He has his own way but he is very efficient and he makes life difficult for us.

'This season I believe they have moved to more possession and a less direct game. They are still efficient on set-pieces but overall they keep the ball much better and have a more elaborate style.'