OPINION
Granit Xhaha is often the scapegoat among Arsenal fans when things do not go according to plan. And, that was the case as he was one of those targeted for the most criticism by Gooners during and after Friday night’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester United. The 3-1 home defeat came as goals from Alexis Sanchez, Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial cancelled out Pierre Emerick Aubameyang’s strike for the hosts on what was a miserable night marked by yet more defender injury woe. Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Laurent Koscielny were forced off after 21 and 64 minutes respectively, which meant that Xhaka had to drop back in the final third of the match to partner substitute Shkodran Mustafi. To say it was makeshift is something of an understatement. Those Arsenal supporters crucifying Xhaka should perhaps reflect on the fact the team looked more effective when he was in central midfield. Unai Emery’s side looked bereft once the Swiss dropped back, something his critics failed to recognise as they destroyed him on social media.
This Is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets below:
Xhaka at CB, oh God… #AFC #ARSMUN
— Fábio Carvalho (@FCarvalho88) January 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/the5thdiabetic_/status/1088917475205488641
https://twitter.com/AnyoneButWenger/status/1088874061537730560
https://twitter.com/Broly_9/status/1088911331233857537
Xhaka and Mustafi at center back might be the worst thing we'll ever see at Arsenal.
— Ben (@BenAFC) January 25, 2019
It's time to be Honest, Aubameyang, Ozil Mkhi, Iwobi, Xhaka, Maitland-Niles, Koscielny and Mustafi are just not good enough #AFC
— The Arsenal (@KYEkye45) January 25, 2019
Ball ache of a result but never going to end well with Mustafi and Xhaka finishing at centre-back. The injuries are probably a bigger concern now than the result #afc
— Sam Limbert (@SamLimbert10) January 25, 2019
Xhaka is a disgrace of a footballer, how do you get beaten that easily in midfield embarrassing.
— . (@_BOURGEOISXXIII) January 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/95HarveyScholes/status/1088911457406865408