Ian Wright has questioned Granit Xhaka's post-match comments after the Arsenal midfielder went on an extraordinary rant criticising his team-mates after their loss against Newcastle.
The Gunners suffered a 2-0 defeat at St James' Park on Monday night which massively damages their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
Mikel Arteta's side are now two points off rivals Tottenham with just one game left this season and effectively need to beat Everton on the final day and hope Spurs lose against already-relegated Norwich to attain a top-four spot.
After the game, Xhaka, 29, said his team-mates lacked 'balls' and insisted they should 'stay at home' if they were nervous.
Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher hit back, labelling him a disgrace for seemingly criticising the younger members of Mikel Arteta's squad - and now Gunners icon Wright has had his say too.
He said: 'Seeing a player coming out and saying "they didn't listen to the coach's instructions" is a very strange interview from Granit Xhaka.
'To say it now, I don't think it helps anybody – it's very magnanimous of him to come out be honest.
'That's the kind of talk you want in the dressing room for them to understand when you go out there, then you know what you need to do.
'Afterwards, it probably makes people upset, especially when you aren't naming names.
'I felt it's the kind of talk you want before the game. It's very easy to say afterwards because, the Tottenham game, you come out and say it then.'
Arsenal were hugely disappointing and lost after an own goal from Ben White and Bruno Guimaraes' late strike.
The Swiss had said: 'If someone isn't ready for this game, stay at home. It doesn't matter your age. 'If you're nervous, stay on the bench or stay at home. You need people to have the balls to come here and play.'
vocaemnstz
0
How do you expect only him to be at his best. When a team performs like that, individual performance is inconsequential.
hmm.. think of Karem Benzema, Modric, Lewandowski, CR7, Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Pirlo, Buffon, Neymar, Mbappe, De Bruyne, Bruno Fernandes, Eden Hazard, Yaya Toure, David Silva, Bergkamp, Henry, Fabregas, Coutinho, Gerrard, Lampard, Xabi Alonso, Giggs, Scholes, Beckham, Shearer, Kane, Som, Salah et. al. These are all players who took the game by the scruff of the neck. Xhaka is the biggest liability arsenal has had in multiple seasons including a red in the derby. If at all anything, he's managed to hide his inferiority on pitch by blaming other team members who were actually as bad if not better than Xhaka.
roabeinoyz
0
Xhaka was nothing extraordinary in the game. To criticize your team mates when he himself was bang average is ridiculous. You need to play a team sport to understand that. Rio, Neville & Wright has played at the top level and they know bullshit when they see one.
How do you expect only him to be at his best. When a team performs like that, individual performance is inconsequential.
roabeinoyz
2
He has every right to say he said. Anyone who watched the match knows Arsenal played their worse game this season. The lacked everything, if it were me, I’ll say worse. Very disappointing match.
Cesbou
0
He was angry and he new those players let him down he is in a good space to say those words he new what happend in the dressing room , this players were lazy and we are all disapointed by their perfomances
I am glad he says that. At least someone say it. Better then just silence without any response
fourthorty430
2
Xhaka lacks leadership ... he talked like a kid here...
vocaemnstz
0
He was angry and he new those players let him down he is in a good space to say those words he new what happend in the dressing room , this players were lazy and we are all disapointed by their perfomances
Xhaka was nothing extraordinary in the game. To criticize your team mates when he himself was bang average is ridiculous. You need to play a team sport to understand that. Rio, Neville & Wright has played at the top level and they know bullshit when they see one.
Dohlnopz
1
Regardless of everything I’m still gunners 🆙🆙😒
Fecailnuyz
0
He was angry and he new those players let him down he is in a good space to say those words he new what happend in the dressing room , this players were lazy and we are all disapointed by their perfomances
Where did he go wrong??? these player ain’t ready to fight
lieemtuyz
3
My father warm me not to be Arsenal fan but I didn't listen?
Jebadeilpz
0
He was angry and he new those players let him down he is in a good space to say those words he new what happend in the dressing room , this players were lazy and we are all disapointed by their perfomances
I agree with you 100%
voselmnosu
7
He was angry and he new those players let him down he is in a good space to say those words he new what happend in the dressing room , this players were lazy and we are all disapointed by their perfomances