Arsenal let slip a 1-0 lead to lost 2-1 to Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday night – and fans took to Twitter to slaughter midfielder Granit Xhaka.
The Switzerland international, 25, was selected in central midfield alongside Mohamed Elneny as Arsene Wenger’s side made a hash of a match that they appeared to have under control.
The Gunners led through Per Mertesacker’s header but the Hornets equalised when Troy Deeney converted from the spot after Hector Bellerin was adjudged to have fouled Richarlison.
Substitute Deeney’s strike with 19 minutes set the scene for a grandstand Watford finish that culminated in Tom Cleverley converting in the closing seconds to send Watford fourth.
Without the rested Alexis Sanchez the Gunners lacked the cutting edge to capitalise on a string of chances, with substitute Mesut Ozil – also benched after his World Cup qualifying exertions for Germany in the week – guilty of one glaring miss.
Supporters took to social media to express their dissatisfaction at Xhaka, who was named in the league starting XI for the eighth consecutive match but had a poor display and was guilty of ball-watching at the edge of the box while the winner was scored.
Criticism ranged from wonky passing to what some claimed was his laboured style of play.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets:
If anyone ever tries to tell you Xhaka isn’t a complete fraud show them this. Joke player. pic.twitter.com/bi93O9MBIl
— Ravz (@Ravz_9) October 15, 2017
Xhaka is a fraud. Can’t win things until he’s removed
— Sandman (@009Sandman) October 15, 2017
Granit Xhaka is the biggest fraud in the history of football. I legitimately thought we were signing the next Andrea Pirlo ffs shambles.
— adü (@ffsAdu) October 14, 2017
Xhaka is a terrible footballer. Wenger is a terrible manager. Arsenal football club is doomed ????
— Ayo (@Ayolanaa) October 14, 2017
Xhaka has been terrible all season and only getting worse.. Ozil just needs to leave us already.. Bellerin just cut the hair and focus#AFC
— Phumelela (@phumielekhoathi) October 14, 2017
I’m finding Xhaka quite frustrating to watch at the moment. You find yourself wondering if his strengths are enough to balance his flaws.
— gunnerblog (@gunnerblog) October 14, 2017
Got to mention the others that are just walking back also but xhaka just stood watching
HE IS AN AWFUL PLAYER https://t.co/gNKZchI4ZQ
— JJ (@stumpee79) October 15, 2017
Xhaka has been horrible #afc
— bunmzi (@bunmzi) October 14, 2017