Arsene Wenger Warns This Star Signing Is 'Hurting' Arsenal

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, right.
Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, right, at Emirates Stadium, London, January 22. Xhaka was sent off for the ninth time in three years against Burnley on Sunday. Ian Kington/AFP/Getty

Arsene Wenger has warned midfielder Granit Xhaka that his lack of control is hurting Arsenal.

With Arsenal leading 1-0 against Burnley on Sunday, Xhaka launched into a two-footed tackle on Belgium midfielder Steven Defour, for his ninth red card in the past three years.

"Xhaka's red card, honestly I have to look at it again, but the noises I heard suggest it was a red card," Wenger told reporters including the Daily Mirror following Arsenal's 2-1 victory, sealed with an Alexis Sanchez penalty.

"He has to control his game, and not punish the team with his lack of control and his tackling.

"We don't encourage our midfielders to go down in tackles, we want them to stand up and not make these kind of fouls."

Xhaka, 24, has now been sent off twice for Arsenal, the first incident coming against Swansea City last October.

The Swiss international can expect a four-match ban, as this was his second red card of the season.

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