Granit Xhaka’s brutal Arsenal interview in full as Gary Neville brands him a ‘disgrace’

Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka batted through his Arsenal team-mates after the dismal 2-0 defeat by Newcastle, a defeat that effectively dashed their hopes of a top-four finish

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In pictures: Newcastle vs Arsenal

Gary Neville hit back at Granit Xhaka after the Arsenal midfielder delivered an explosive message to his team-mates following the dismal Newcastle United defeat.

A Ben White own goal and a late strike from one-off Bruno Guimares condemned the Gunners to a 2-0 defeat that almost ended their Champions League hopes. Mikel Arteta’s charges knew they needed a win to keep their destiny in their own hands in the top four but were overwhelmed, defeated and outplayed by the dynamic hosts who ended their home season on a high note.

Tottenham now need just a point clear of the already relegated Norwich City to surpass their north London rivals and Arsenal appear destined for a season in the Europa League after sitting in the Champions League driver’s seat for so long Has.

Xhaka delivered a brutally honest verdict after the game, accusing his colleagues of lacking the mentality they needed to produce a result in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.

Here are the Swiss midfielder’s comments on Sky Sports Completely: “It’s difficult to find the right words. From the first minute to the 90th, we didn’t deserve to be on the pitch.

“I can’t explain to you why. We didn’t stick to the game plan and didn’t listen to the manager. What happened was a disaster performance. They didn’t deserve to play in the Champions League or even the Europa League. It It’s very difficult to take at the moment. I don’t know why we don’t do what the coach asks us to do.”

When asked if inexperience in the squad was a problem, he added: “If someone isn’t ready for this game, stay home. It doesn’t matter how old you are. If you’re nervous, stay on the bench Or stay home.” .

“You need people who have the guts to come here and play. It’s one of the most important games for us. We are very disappointed in the people who came here. sorry for them [fans]I can’t think of any other words.

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“It’s very quiet in the dressing room. The game plan was completely different from the 90 minutes. We wait six years. We had everything in our hands. We looked like we were in the position that Newcastle are in and they were.” where we are.”

In a subsequent interview with BBC Sport, Xhaka doubled down on his comments, suggesting the Arsenal dressing room specifically ignored Arteta’s orders. “We wanted to have a big game but it didn’t happen. It’s so difficult to find the right words. If you don’t listen to the coach and do your own things, it doesn’t work.”

“People always talk about leaders. We don’t play tennis, we play football. If someone isn’t ready for that pressure, stay home. You can’t come here and play like this. We looked very bad today.” The schedule was completely different, we played a completely different game.

“They overwhelmed us from the first minute to the 96th. If you play like that, you don’t deserve to play in the Champions League. The thing is the pressure. If you can’t handle the pressure, it ends like it did today .” . It looks like there’s nothing we can do about the pressure.”

But Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville had little time for Xhaka’s honest judgement: “I think I heard him say ‘stay at home if you don’t have the balls’. So obviously he’s trying people in his dressing room.

“I don’t know who he’s trying against, I hope he hasn’t tried the younger players… him? “I’ll tell you what he’s thought a disgrace at times over the past four or five years because he’s been recklessly sent off. He left it in the air, it was nothing.”