Arsenal star Granit Xhaka did not mince words on Monday evening, in revealing his frustrations with the club’s squad on the back of their damaging defeat to Newcastle United.
Mikel Arteta’s men were of course back in action a short time ago, making the trip to St. James’ Park in the knowledge that nothing but three points would suffice amid the club’s ongoing pursuit of a Champions League berth.
When all was said and done, however, to say that the Gunners’ efforts towards that came up short would be putting it lightly.
A frankly dismal display on Tyneside saw Arsenal dominated in every aspect of the game by an impressive Newcastle, to eventually slip to a deserved 2-0 defeat.
TWO!!
Bruno Guimarães doubles Newcastle’s lead! Arsenal’s top four hopes are up in smoke ? pic.twitter.com/s457bEUvlS
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 16, 2022
And one individual, as alluded to above, who was not shy in taking aim at Arteta’s troops on the back of the full-time whistle this evening was midfielder Granit Xhaka.
Speaking to the media post-match, Arsenal’s Swiss international was drawn on his side’s latest display, and ranted:
“We didn’t do what the gameplan was, not listening to the coach, doing our things. What happened was a disaster performance. We don’t deserve to play Champions League. We don’t deserve even to play Europa League. It’s very hard to take.”
Xhaka wasn’t done there, though, with the 29-year-old having appeared to call into question the mental strength of some members of the Gunners’ ranks, after being pressed on whether or not the occasion may have gotten to ‘a young team’:
“If someone is not ready for this game, stay at home. It doesn’t matter [about] the age, you can be 30, 35, 10, 18 – if you’re not ready for that or nervous, stay on the bench or stay at home. Don’t come here. We need people to have balls.”
“If someone isn’t ready for this game, stay at home”
Granit Xhaka says the Arsenal players didn’t deserve to be on the pitch today ? pic.twitter.com/OdC37x3TAG
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 16, 2022
Spurs in pole position
So, what does their defeat on Monday night actually mean for Arsenal’s top-4 hopes?
In reality, it has seen them all but ended.
Tottenham now occupy 4th in the Premier League table, sitting two points clear of their north London rivals with just a solitary game to play.
This means that Arsenal require Antonio Conte’s side to slip to what would be a shock defeat at the hands of Championship-bound Norwich City, whilst themselves getting the better of an Everton outfit who could still be battling for their top-flight lives at the Emirates.
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