Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka has hit back over criticism of his red card in the Burnley clash following what could be his redemption moment against Chelsea.
The Swiss midfielder received scathing criticism after lashing out in the recent defeat to Burnley and getting sent off.
At the time, Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness said: "It’s stuff you see in the playground. His reaction is totally wrong. It’s a foul and a yellow card because he’s clumsy. Accept it and move on.
"His reaction is just totally wrong. Why do you want to square up? To get involved in that nonsense."
And Arsenal legend Martin Keown followed that up by saying: "Of course, Granit Xhaka will be under fire after Sunday’s sending-off against Burnley, and rightly so.
"He just does not get around the pitch quickly enough. He has made some huge mistakes – so many in fact you would be surprised if there is a way back under Mikel Arteta.
"If the experienced players cannot do it, it is time to trust a youngster in the heart of midfield. ‘Ainsley Maitland-Niles is an England player and he was superb in that position against Rapid Vienna. He has great pace, is good in possession and can defend."
But Mikel Arteta kept trust in Xhaka and brought the midfielder back into the starting lineup to face Chelsea on Boxing Day.
The midfielder did not disappoint, lashing in a superb free-kick before half-time to make it 2-0 with the Gunners going on to win 3-1.
And after the game, Xhaka responded to his critics, telling the club's media channel: "People started to talk a lot after the game [against Burnley].
"Of course I was very disappointed about the red card. I knew what I did was wrong but I am just happy that I helped the team and I’m back.
"I will always show my character and continue to give 100%."
On this occasion, it seems Xhaka may have had the last laugh, but he will be desperate to back up his goal with another good performance against Brighton on Tuesday as the Gunners look to continue their resurgence on the South coast.
