Arsenal won't appeal against Xhaka dismissal - 7M sport

Arsenal won't appeal against Xhaka dismissal



Posted Sunday, October 16, 2016 by PA

Arsenal won't appeal against Xhaka dismissal

Arsene Wenger says Arsenal will not be appealing against Granit Xhaka's red card in their 3-2 victory over Swansea.

The 24-year-old was dismissed after 70 minutes for a challenge on Modou Barrow but despite classing the decision as "a little harsh", Wenger will not be challenging the decision made by referee Jon Moss.

Wenger said: "No (we will not appeal the decision). It looked harsh to me but it was a deliberate foul.

"It looked a 'dark yellow' but the referee went for bright red."

The Gunners made it six Premier League wins in a row, with a brace from Theo Walcott and a goal from birthday boy Mesut Ozil proving enough though Swansea twice pulled within one, through Gylfi Sigurdsson in the first half and Borja Baston in the second.

Wenger added: "What looked to be a comfortable afternoon finished in a very uncomfortable way. We just got over the line.

"I thought at times we played fantastic football, we lost a bit of our focus and after that, at 3-1, we could have conceded.

"We played with spirit but it was difficult in the end."

Walcott's brace on Saturday made it six goals in five games for the 27-year-old and Wenger believes he is looking much more resilient as a player this season.

He said: "He could have had a hat-trick, maybe even four.

"He scored two goals, I make that six now which is very encouraging.

"He is much more resilient."

Swansea manager Bob Bradley believes there are a lot of positives his side can take from their defeat.

The American boss was announced to replace Francesco Guidolin on October 3 and has had to wait until after the international break for his first game in the Premier League.

The Swans have now lost their last four league games in a row but Bradley was happy with large parts of their game against the Gunners.

He said: "That was an exciting game but obviously it didn't finish how we wanted it to.

"I didn't like our start, we were slow to step out and gave them too much of the ball.

"Arsenal is a team where if you don't make the most of your chances, they will play through the lines.

"That part of the game I didn't like and of course, that coincides from our end with two poor goals.

"But I thought there were moments where we closed down the ball more, moments where we pressed and pushed the ball higher.

"I think we kept at it so at the end, disappointed but I think the players feel that we had a very good week of training and now if we can take the starting points we saw today, then there is a chance we can become a really good team."



Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.