Granit Xhaka, an Arsenal midfielder, has described the reaction to his contentious comments after the Arsenal’ late-season 2-0 loss to Newcastle as a misinterpretation. According to a report, he stated that the Gunners required more “balls,” and some analysts interpreted this as a jab at the team’s teammates.
However, Granit Xhaka maintains that he was specifically talking about Arsenal’s mentality and had aimed to include himself in those remarks.
Arsenal’s chances of finishing in the top four were severely damaged by the loss to Newcastle, and they ultimately ended behind Tottenham for the final Champions League qualification position.
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What Were Granit Xhaka’s Original Thought?
“I don’t know why we’re not doing what the coach is asking for us,” Xhaka told Sky Sports following the May 16 defeat.
“If someone isn’t ready for this game, stay at home. It doesn’t matter your age. If you’re nervous, stay on the bench or stay at home. You need people to have the balls to come here and play. It’s one of the most important games for us. We’re feeling very disappointed for the people who came over here.”
What Clarification Has Granit Xhaka Made?
Granit Xhaka told ESPN. “This was not against our young players, I put myself there as well. We were not ready for this game, to fight.
“We knew if we won this game, we would have another final against Everton at home [on the last day of the Premier League season].
“The thing is about the mentality – when you have something, you can take it – it is not the first time we let it down.
“A lot of people start to think, ‘Yeah he’s speaking again,’ and stuff like this, but maybe they didn’t understand what and how I meant it.
“If I can say now something about this interview, I told you: this has nothing to do with the young players, it is to do with us all together.”
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