“This is who I am, I can’t change myself..” – Granit Xhaka about his red card against Liverpool

“This is who I am, I can’t change myself..” – Granit Xhaka about his red card against Liverpool

Granit Xhaka has been subject to a lot of criticism from fans and pundits lately for his extremely rough tackle on Diogo Jota leading to him getting sent off in the first leg of the FA Cup encounter against Liverpool. The red card led to Arsenal playing a low block and resorting to a very defensive shape.

While Arteta’s men did manage to hold on for a 0-0 draw against Liverpool, the criticism did continue for the 29-year old Swiss midfielder, who went on to apologise for the tackle on Social Media.

In the latest interview by Sky Sports, ahead of Arsenal’s second leg against Liverpool, Granit Xhaka was asked about the red card and the impact of the red card.

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“It’s not like I’m planning this. It’s not like I’m doing this on purpose.“

“But sometimes, I am in a position where I have to take a 50:50. It’s risky, of course. Now people will say, ‘Yeah, but why do you always [take] risks?’

“This is who I am. I can’t change myself from today to tomorrow. Of course, I need to improve and I know I need to improve.“

Also read: “Loads of abuse, loads of banter”- Steven Gerrard ahead of the clash against Everton

“‘Do I need to go into the duel or not?’ No.“- Granit Xhaka about his tackle

Granit Xhaka further states that he would have been criticised if Jota had scored a goal and appreciates the good job Arsenal has done in his absence.

“But in this moment, if Jota takes the ball and he scores, they will say again, ‘Why didn’t you stop him?’ Now, I stop him, they say, ‘Why do you get the red card?’

“In the end, after the game, everyone is smarter than in the moment – myself as well. Of course, when I see it back now and say, ‘Do I need to go into the duel or not?’ No.

“But it is a moment, a second, where I have to make a decision and this time I made the wrong one and I feel sorry for the team, I feel sorry for the supporters, but thanks God they did an amazing job after that.”

Granit Xhaka’s suspension might not have cost Arsenal in the first leg, but he was absent in the second leg where Arsenal went on to lose against Liverpool 0-2.

Also read: “I can’t say that it is over”- Manchester City player on the Premier League title race