Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
EVRA’S ARSENAL ARE BABIES JIBE IS BULL ***T
Xhaka hits back at former United star & says ‘a lot of people speak too much’
ARSENAL skipper Granit Xhaka has angrily dismissed Patrice Evra’s “babies” taunt as “bulls**t.”
Xhaka is annoyed at Evra for his jibe, which came after their 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United on Monday night.
And he feels the former Manchester United and
France defender turned Sky
Sports pundit, who also claimed the Gunners have always been fragile, should show more respect.
“A lot of people speak too much,” fumed Xhaka. “I hear he has been speaking out against us.
“I have a lot of respect for him because he was a great player. But you have to be careful what you say in those situations as well. It’s not only him, it’s a lot of people. They speak a lot of bulls**t about us. It’s always the same.
“For me, it’s strange, because they were in the same situation as us. They were players as well.
“Maybe, sometimes we play good, sometimes not so good. But if they speak every weekend, every game, bulls**t like this, then they will not get respect for what they say.”
Xhaka was also irritated that Lys Mousset’s winner for United came from a corner – the 22nd goal Arsenal have conceded from a set-piece under boss Unai Emery.
The Swiss midfielder reckons the north Londoners must defend dead-ball situations better and said: “Of course, it’s frustrating because it’s so easy. It’s too easy, if you lose the game because of a corner or free-kick. We have to improve things.
“We did good things in the match as well. We were compact in defence, they didn’t have a lot of chances. But if you want to be in the top four, you have to beat Sheffield United.”
Xhaka claims the Gunners must also show more resilience away from home, as they have won just three of their last 11 Premier League games on the road.
Arsenal were feeble at times against the Blades and Xhaka believes they must show more character.
“We have to stop speaking about mentality or bulls**t like this,” he added. “For me, it’s the same if you play home or away. You have to win. You have to show big character. You have to play well in games and not to find always the same excuse.
“I’m not interested in what people say and speak. We have to speak in our group to improve things and work hard.”