John Hartson blasts Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka during victory against Leeds

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John Hartson voiced his frustration over Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka during the club’s victory over Leeds United in the FA Cup third round.

The Gunners managed to record a narrow 1-0 win at the Emirates Stadium over the Championship leaders, but it was a game very much of two halves.

Visitors Leeds dominated in the first period with a catalogue of chances in front of goal that they weren’t able to convert.

But Mikel Arteta’s team fought back with a much more alert display in the second-half, with Reiss Nelson scoring the only goal of the game from close-range.

Ex-Arsenal forward Hartson did pick out Xhaka though during the first-half and was ripping into him for his efforts.

The 27-year-old was extremely fortunate not to be booked in 90 minutes after a string of poor fouls on Leeds players, but he did improve on the ball in the second-half.

“Xhaka is ordinary at best. First 20 mins should have been booked.. sloppy passing and going to ground when clearly not getting the ball,” Hartson wrote on his personal Twitter account.

TBR’s View:

Xhaka was at times his sloppy self in the centre of the park, but he wasn’t the only player caught out by a vibrant energetic Leeds team on Monday night.

The Swiss central midfielder somehow avoided a booking for several hard challengers and that’s something that has always been a part of his game.

But he does still possess a decent range of passing that he showed in glimpses against Leeds and it looks like new manager Arteta is willing to give him a fair chance in the XI to consolidate a long-term position.