Granit Xhaka has many qualities, but curiously for a holding midfielder, timing his challenges is not one of them.
The Swiss international was handed a start in Arsenal's midfield alongside Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreria for Sunday's north London derby against Tottenham at the Emirates.
Unai Emery backed Xhaka over the likes of Dani Ceballos and Joe Willock, but his decision backfired as the 26-year-old conceded a disastrous penalty to allow Spurs to go 2-0 up.
With Mauricio Pochettino's side already leading 1-0 courtesy of a Christian Eriksen tap-in following an error by Bernd Leno after 10 minutes, Xhaka went diving into a challenge on Heung-min Son inside his own penalty area five minutes before half-time.
Xhaka had no chance of winning the ball and left referee Martin Atkinson with no option but to point to the spot, with the only saving grace for Arsenal that Xhaka avoided potentially serious punishment by virtue of failing to catch Son further up his leg after jumping in with his studs showing.
Kane duly beat Leno from the spot, and Xhaka's mistake drew the ire of fans an pundits alike.
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville - commentating on the match for Sky Sports - was unimpressed by Xhaka's challenge, saying: "I don't think I've watched a game where Xhaka's not made a challenge like that.
"It's absolutely ridiculous from a senior player," before adding a cutting: "An experienced player who has never played with experience."
Ouch.
