ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger wants to discuss discipline with Granit Xhaka - but believes his straight red card today was harsh.
The £30m summer signing was dismissed in the Gunners’ 3-2 win over Swansea at the Emirates.
Xhaka crudely brought down Modou Barrow from behind with no intention of playing the ball.
And it left Arsenal holding on in north London, but fortunately for Xhaka his red wasn’t costly.
Arsenal player ratings against Swansea
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Click through the gallery for Arsenal player ratings against Swansea
However, the defensive midfielder now faces a three-game suspension and Wenger wants the Switzerland international to show more experience next time around.
“It looked harsh to me,” Wenger told the club’s official website on Xhaka’s red. “But it was a deliberate foul. It looked a dark yellow - and the referee went for a bright red.
“I think intelligence means you don’t make the same mistake twice, and I hope he learns from that."
When asked if he’s spoken to Xhaka about discipline, Wenger added: “Not yet, no. Before, in Germany, he had some [red cards] but I don’t think he’s a dirty player at all.
“Sometimes there have been some clumsy tackles, because he’s not a natural defender, he’s a guy who likes to play forward. I will speak to him. I think Barrow made a lot of it as well, because he could go on.
“But the referee saw a bad tackle and you have to respect that. It is what it is, and he has to learn from it.”
The Arsenal manager also confirmed he will not be appealing the dismissal.
Xhaka will be available for their Champions League clash at home to Ludogorets on Wednesday, but not when Middlesbrough visit next Saturday.
Francis Coquelin came off the bench in today’s match though and is expected to return a fill in during Xhaka’s absence.