Politics
Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka apologises on social media for howler that led to Burnley equaliser as Leno defends him
ARSENAL midfielder Granit Xhaka has apologised to Gunners fans after his horrific blunder against Burnley on Saturday.
With Mikel Arteta’s side leading 1-0, Xhaka attempted to play a pass inside his own penalty area, but the ball was intercepted by Chris Wood who simply cushioned the ball into an empty net.
Wood turned home Xhaka’s sloppy pass to equalise for Burnley and earn them a point[/caption]
The howler would end up costing Arsenal two points as the game finished 1-1.
And Xhaka, who has made several mistakes already this season, took to social media to address the disastrous moment.
Speaking on Instagram alongside a photo of him looking dejected, he said: “I hold my hands up for their goal and I’m sorry for the mistake.
“That’s football and right now I feel just as frustrated as all of you.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno came out in defence of Xhaka’s decision to try and play the ball out from the back.
Leno told BBC Sport: “We wanted to build out again because it had been working and it was very unlucky from Granit but it happens.
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“There is always risk to play out from the back but this is our style.
“I think we have more than enough situations where it works to our advantage.”
Arsenal’s draw at Turf Moor means they sit tenth in the Premier League, nine points off Chelsea in fourth.
Next up for Arteta’s men is a trip to Greece in midweek to take on Olympiacos in the last 16 of the Europa League, before they welcome Tottenham in the North London Derby next Sunday.
