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Arsenal legend Ian Wright has said that Granit Xhaka has been made a scapegoat in the Gunners’ 2-2 Premier League draw with Liverpool on Sunday (April 9) evening.
The league leaders got off to an electrifying start, with Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus putting them 2-0 ahead inside 28 minutes. Around the 40-minute mark, Xhaka clashed with Ibrahima Konate and Trent Alexander-Arnold, which riled up the Anfield faithful.
Soon after, Mohamed Salah scored for the Reds (42nd minute), giving the hosts much-needed momentum. After Salah had missed a penalty, Roberto Firmino scored the equaliser three minutes from time to force a share of the spoils.
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While many have accused Xhaka of getting Anfield charged up, Wright has said that the midfielder did not do anything to draw criticism. On Match of the Day 2, Wright said (via the Daily Mail):
“It doesn't take too much to get that crowd going. Even if Granit Xhaka went in there and slapped someone it's not going to get that crowd any more going than they were gonna get going. The fact is he's been brilliant for us this season. I think the narrative is people are trying to point at someone. That's how he plays, that's probably how he plays in his back garden.”
Wright added:
“I wouldn't put that on him. What I would put on us is how we weren't able to see out and continue to play like we did in the first half, but I think we will have learnt a lot from that game. A lot of people have gone to Liverpool and not got that. We should be delighted with that point. We haven't won there since 2012, so we've got to take that point and be very happy.”
Xhaka has been one of Arsenal’s most consistent players this season, as they aim to win their first Premier League title in 19 years. He has featured in 30 league games this season, scoring five times and claiming five assists.
Mikel Arteta laments Arsenal's missed opportunity
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta was critical of his side’s performance in the four-goal thriller at Anfield. The Spaniard said that his players slacked off in the second half and would have walked away with all three points if they had maintained their first-half intensity.
The former Manchester City assistant manager said:
“We could have taken three points. We should do that (play like the first half) for another 15 minutes, and then the game would have taken a very different trajectory. We didn't. We have to take the point.”
Things could have been a lot worse for the Premier League aspirants had Liverpool ace Salah not missed his penalty in the 54th minute. Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale also made four top saves to keep his side in front.
Arsenal now have a six-point lead over second-placed Manchester City atop the Premier League. The Cityzens, though, have a game in hand. Liverpool, meanwhile, are eighth, 12 points off fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
