Arsenal news: Arsene Wenger is playing Granit Xhaka in the WRONG position - Murphy

GRANIT XHAKA shouldn’t be playing as a holding midfielder for Arsenal, according to Danny Murphy.

Wenger: Xhaka needs to control his reactions on the field

Arsene Wenger brought in Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2016 to bring in some aggression into his midfield.

That aggression has often come in for heavy criticism, having picked up two red cards in his debut campaign.

He has since toned down his rash challenges this season, picking up just one yellow card.

But former Liverpool star Murphy believes there is another problem with Xhaka - he isn’t the answer to Arsenal’s defensive midfield problems.

He doesn’t sense danger

Danny Murphy on Granit Xhaka

Arsenal have struggled to find a replacement for Mikel Arteta ever since injuries brought his career to an end.

And Murphy doesn’t believe Xhaka is the right player to fill that same role. 

“He’s not a holding midfielder,” Murphy said on Match of the Day.

Granit Xhaka is not a holding midfielder, according to Danny MurphyGETTY

Granit Xhaka is not a holding midfielder, according to Danny Murphy

Arsene Wenger signed Granit Xhaka in the summer of 2016GETTY

Arsene Wenger signed Granit Xhaka in the summer of 2016

“He’s a good footballer who can pass it and strike it from range but he’s not a holding midfielder.

“He doesn’t sense danger.”

Arsenal suffered a last-ditch defeat to Watford yesterday after Tom Cleverley grabbed the winner for the Hornets in stoppage time.

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