Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has asked new summer signing Granit Xhaka to control his temper ahead of Sunday’s Northlondon derby.
The Swiss midfielder had received a three-match ban after receiving a red card in Arsenal’s Premier League encounter with Swansea City. Arsenal were desperate to hold on to their lead against Swansea and Xhaka was shown the red after a serious foul on Mo Barrow. Referee Jon Moss branded the tackle as a serious offense and immediately showed Xhaka the red card – which automatically activated the three-match suspension.
Wenger had insisted that Xhaka’s sending off was harsh and had made it clear that the club would not launch an appeal as the Swiss midfielder needed to learn from his mistakes.
And now Xhaka is set to make a return in the match against North London rivals Tottenham Spurs.
After the red card against Swansea, Xhaka received a yellow card in Arsenal’s 3-2 Champions League win over Ludogorets on Tuesday.
Gunners Boss Wenger said: “I am a bit concerned as discipline is important. We want to be effective in all situations we face and it is important to keep control in a derby as it is part of being effective in these games.”
“He is quite normally a composed and kind guy. Sometimes on the field his reaction is a bit impulsive and he knows that. He has to work on that and keep control of his reactions.”
While speaking on upcoming Premier League clash on Sunday, Wenger said: “It is more than a derby. It is an important game.”
“We have to expect Tottenham to be at their best and respond with an effective performance.”
Injuries has been a problem for Arsenal in the last few years and ahead of the North London derby, Wenger is hopeful that Walcott would recover from injury. Kieran Gibbs is also a major doubt for Sunday’s clash as he is recovering from a shoulder problem and Santi Cazorla is yet to regain full match fitness.
