WENGER: REFS TOO QUICK TO PUT XHAKA IN THE BOOK

ARSENE WENGER admits Granit Xhaka must improve his tackling but fears the Swiss midfielder’s reputation has made him a victim.

Xhaka, who lines up against West Bromwich Albion today, has been booked in all five games since being sent off against Burnley in January, his third red card of the season for club and country.

The Arsenal manager believes the 24-year-old gets booked when others escape. Wenger said: ‘He is in a position where he gets a yellow card on the first foul. He is a victim of his reputation.

‘You see tackles by some players much worse than what he did against Burnley and they don’t even get a yellow. He got a straight red.

‘The way he tackles is not to hurt people. It is more that he hasn’t mastered the technique. He has improved but needs to work on his one against one. When he stays on his feet he is a fair player.’

Arsenal travel to the Hawthorns hoping to end a run of one win in seven away games against teams managed by Tony Pulis.

Wenger said: ‘I respect Tony Pulis. He has his own way but he is very efficient and he makes life difficult for us.’

Pulis believes Wenger will stay in football for years even if he leaves Arsenal at the end of the season.

He said: ‘I get the feeling Arsene will be carried out in a box still managing a club because that’s the way he is. He’s football nuts.

‘I think he wants to stay in management for years.’