EPL 2016/17: Arsene Wenger worried by Granit Xhaka’s recklessness

The fiery one

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has stated that he has concerns over Swiss midfielder, Granit Xhaka’s disciplinary record. The former Basel midfielder has received 8 red cards while playing club football since April 2014.

And the legendary Arsenal manager believes that discipline while on the pitch is something that he holds in high regard. He also stated that Xhaka is usually a composed person who makes impulsive decisions on the pitch that gets him into trouble. In the end, he urged his midfielder to control his temper.

"I've no specific idea what I'll do [with the starting XI] but I am concerned [with his discipline] yes," Wenger said.

"Discipline is important and we want to be effective in the situations we face in a derby. I think he's quite a composed and calm guy, sometimes on the field, the reaction is a bit impulsive.

"He needs to work on that and his control in the game," the Frenchman added.

It has been reported that Germany coach Joachim Low will be resting Mesut Ozil by not picking him for Germany’s matches against San Marino and a friendly against Italy. Wenger has lauded this action, saying that it will be a sensible thing to do.

"I got noise of that. I think it would be an intelligent decision," he said. "We have to wait until he [Joachim Low] gives out his selection. We need to wait and see."

November has always been a cursed month for Arsenal. The Gunners previously made many good starts to a season, only to falter during November. And Wenger admits that this is his team’s chance to improve the statistical quagmire that November presents for them.

"It's exciting, we have an opportunity to show that we are ready for a chance and to do better than we have done historically," he said.

"It's a good opportunity on Sunday to show that.

"We've started November in a positive way and I'm sure we can face the history but we have as well an opportunity to make history and show better than what we did before," he went on to add.

Arsenal face Tottenham in a fierce contest of the Titans. While Arsenal are going through a good patch of form, winning all but one of their last five games, Spurs are winless in their last six games. However, if history is anything to go by, form doesn’t really matter when the players are featuring in a North London derby.