A selection of Arsenal supporters have slammed the performance of midfielder Granit Xhaka in the aftermath of the club’s 1-1 Premier League draw against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Gunners had faced a must-win situation against the Seagulls in order to keep their top-four hopes alive ahead of the final gameweek, and they managed to open the scoring after just nine minutes through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who converted a penalty.
However, they could not the second goal to kill off the game and this eventually came to haunt them with Xhaka conceding a needless penalty at the hour mark after he was adjudged to have tripped Solly March with the slightest of margins.
At 1-1, the north London side sought to find the much-needed winner to salvage their Champions League hopes, but their efforts came to no avail as they settled for a stalemate, which has practically ended their chances of catching fourth-placed Spurs, barring a miracle in the curtain closer.
Shortly after the game, a number of Gunners fans have been critical about the showing of Xhaka during the match and some believe the Switzerland international should be heading through the club’s exit door during the summer.
Here are some of the tweets…..
Would be very happy never to see Mkhitaryan and Xhaka ever, ever again.
— Paul (@rockthecasbah77) May 5, 2019
I’ll throw a party when xhaka leaves this club free champagne to do what he did today is unforgivable
— Lee Judges (@leemarkjudges) May 5, 2019
Xhaka such a silly pen to give away. What are you thinking!
— Sash ~ (@ltarsenal) May 5, 2019
I’m supporting Arsenal 43 years
If I ever hear again that I don’t understand football if I don’t understand what Xhaka gives the team, I’ll most likely pass out
Can someone tell me why he warrants a place at Arsenal
One of the worst pound for pound signing in 43 years
— John Cooney AFC Ⓜ️💎 (@johncooney1) May 5, 2019
Xhaka undoubtedly a good player. But totally brainless. Will always let you down. Can’t take anymore of him
— Rob Ross (@gooner145) May 5, 2019
What is Xhaka doing there? Seriously????? Madness.
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) May 5, 2019
Arsenal are still not mathematically out of the race for the final Champions League qualification spot with just three points separating them from arch-rivals Spurs, but they require an eight-goal swing in their favour, which remains improbable with a tough away trip to Burnley to close the season.
As such, the club’s prospects of qualifying for the elite competition are entirely dependent on winning this season’s Europa League, but to reach the final of the same, they need to hold on to their 3-1 advantage against Valencia ahead of the return leg at the home of the Spanish outfit.
