He's a mental midgit. Giving up a goal is better than playing with 10 man for 60 minutes, that gets drilled into you at like 10. At this point, even his teammates have to be wondering when he'll get his next customary red card.
Not sure I agree with this, because Xhaka didn't intentionally scythe down Jota - he was trying to play the ball (and he didn't miss by much). I think a better point is that he should have known to not get sent off given the NLD on Sunday, which is way more important. Idk who starts in midfield now.
Agreed, but in that situation getting to the right position is more important than trying to win the ball, especially if the ball is still in flight.
So, how many reds is that for Xhaka while at Arsenal? Even if today was unlucky, he's gotta be the player with the most red per 90, no? Modern era, anyway.
Somehow only his 5th. Two in his first season, none for the next 3, one last season, two this season. He averages a red card every 3,800 minutes for Arsenal. This season, he's averaging one every 477 minutes.
Saka needs to be subbed off, this is crazy. These numbers are a little unfair, because they're mostly warped by him getting injured against Sperz.
I'm back and all caught up to real time. I pressed 10sec FFWD a bunch and watched some bits along the way, and I have to say I had more smile on my face in 2T than in 1T. Go figure. To see the boys not giving up and still trying to score on the counter... quite a few times, and nearly do it at least once. Saka continued to be our most dangerous energizer bunny, but Grandpa Laca was a somewhat indomitable force as well. I just worried that Saka was going to injure himself with all that running and sure enough... off he comes. 10+ mins to go and it's still 0-0. You gotta believe???
Tavares on as a left winger seems like a good way to take some responsibility away from him. Smart management.
FT!! LIV 0-0 ARS What??? A PRIDEFUL display by our rear guard, after our beloved Xhoker did what he does so well. With 10 men for 65' we held them to 0* shots on goal. We actually had the only SOG. We really have solved our defensive frailty this year... that's a big accomplishment. WELL DONE BOYS, you've given yourselves a surprisingly good chance in Leg 2 at the Grove. Onward... *Note: when I drafted this they had zero shots on, and somehow after that they came up with a single solitary one of those in the dying minutes of AOT