Wenger: It might be best if Xhaka doesn’t tackle for Arsenal
Arsene Wenger has admitted to concerns over Granit Xhaka’s defending style, conceding he may even advise the Swiss international to refrain from tackling.
Xhaka saw red for the second time this season after a reckless challenge on Burnley’s Steven Defour last Sunday, although the Gunners were able to eventually escape with all three points after Alexis Sanchez’s 98th-minute penalty.
(Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Midfielder Xhaka will now miss the next four games as a result, adding to a disciplinary record which now stands at nine red cards in just three years.
And Wenger, who saw the club splash out £34million to bring the player to the Emirates last summer, admits that rather than work on his tackling, it might be best for his Xhaka to stay on his feet.
“I think he’s not naturally a great tackler and in his decision-making I think he is quite intelligent on the pitch,” he said.
“But it’s more the way he tackles that is not really convincing. He doesn’t master well the technique of tackling.
“I would rather encourage him not to tackle, to stay on his feet and that’s the best way to deal with it.
“Tackling is a technique that you learn at a young age. You can improve it but when you are face to face with somebody, it’s better you stay up.”
