Top 5 most ill-disciplined players in world football right now

Granit Xhaka (Arsenal)

Granit Xhaka was stripped off as Arsenal captain earlier this season after his wild reaction to fans' jeers

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka is not just famed for his occasional long-ranger but also for his extremely poor discipline on the field. The Swiss captain has a Premier League joint-second 40 fouls this season, racking up 7 yellow cards in the process.

Earlier this season, the 27-year-old was stripped of his captaincy duties for the Gunners by former manager Unai Emery after his shocking reaction to the boos directed to him at the Emirates Stadium. The midfielder was greeted with jeers after he was substituted against Crystal Palace in October last year, after which he took off his shirt and threw it on the ground before disappearing into the tunnel. Multiple reports suggested that Xhaka’s antics was the end of his Arsenal career, but incoming boss Mikel Arteta has reinstated him into the starting XI.

The former Basel midfielder has had a sketchy disciplinary record in previous seasons as well, with 32 yellow and 2 red cards in the last three alone, excluding the ongoing campaign. He is often found fighting with opponents, screaming at the referee and making dangerous tackles.

Pundit and former Manchester United player Gary Neville, in a ruthless assessment of the midfielder, said:

“Granit Xhaka makes too many mistakes, doesn't learn, he's ill-disciplined, he's so poor. I’ve never known a player commit the same mistakes game after the game, he’s riddled with ill-discipline. He commits hundreds of fouls every match, he gets a yellow or red card every time I watch him, it feels like, and his performance levels are poor for Arsenal.”