Some fans think £100k-a-week Arsenal man was ‘running the show’ for his country last night

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Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka was in international action last night, playing the first half of Switzerland’s friendly defeat to Belgium.

The 28-year-old Gunners ace, who captains the Swiss side, was deployed in central midfield, playing alongside Eintracht Frankfurt’s Djibril Sow in a 3-4-1-2 formation.

Xhaka was a solid presence in the middle of the park as Switzerland led the hosts at half time, courtesy of Ahmir Mehmedi’s strike following a poor Sebastiaan Bornauw attempted clearance.

Head coach Vladimir Petkovic made four substitutions at the break, with the £100,000-a-week enforcer making way for Liverpool’s Xherdan Shaqiri.

After the Gunners man came off, Belgium soon drew level through Michy Batshuayi, who then struck the winner in the 70th minute.

Arsenal fans and Switzerland supporters alike noted how the national side didn’t play quite so well once Xhaka was taken off, and how they went from a lead to defeat.

Below is some of the social media reaction during and after the game:

Switzerland are in Nations League action on Saturday against Spain, and again on Tuesday when they take on Ukraine.