BBC pundit Danny Murphy believes Granit Xhaka can count himself lucky not to have been sent off against Leeds United.
Xhaka's future at the Gunners has been in doubt ever since he swore at supporters while being substituted in a draw with Crystal Palace in October, an incident that prompted former head coach Unai Emery to strip him of the club captaincy the following month.
As a result, Xhaka has only recently returned to Arsenal’s starting line-up, but his persistent fouling against the Whites at the Emirates didn’t go unnoticed on Monday night.
First, former referee Keith Hackett took to Twitter to take aim at Anthony Taylor for not showing the midfielder a caution.
He wrote: “Is Anthony Taylor having a laugh. That man Xhaka commits his fourth yellow card offence and again no action from a referee who should be sitting on his hands next week.
“This Arsenal player should not be on the field of play. Klich of Leeds now gets a YC for a foul on Xhaka.”
Meanwhile, Murphy felt the Swiss international was lucky not to have been handed his marching orders midway through the second half.
“I mean I am watching a different game,” he said during commentary of the game on BBC Sport.
“He’s lucky to be on the pitch. I don’t know what the referee is seeing and it is not a vendetta against Xhaka it is just horrendous tackling.
“He will keep tackling like that until he gets a yellow because there is no other repercussions for cynical fouls.”
