Ian Wright disagrees with Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville’s comment on Granit Xhaka

Arnold and Xhaka face off during the Arsenal vs Liverpool clash

Ian Wright disagrees with Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville’s comment on Granit Xhaka

Stephen Oladehinde 11:03 - 10.04.2023

Granit Xhaka and Trent Alexander-Arnold got into a fight as Merseyside fans were angered during Arsenal’s dominating moment at Anfield.

Arsenal took a hit in the Premier League race on Sunday. The Gunners lost a 2-0 lead to Liverpool at Anfield and ended up drawing 2-2. Aaron Ramsdale's heroics in the second half prevented a worse outcome.

Granit Xhaka and Trent Alexander-collision Arnold's during the first half was a crucial event that sparked the home crowd's energy. Xhaka was criticized for 'waking the fans up' even though Arsenal had done an excellent job in the first 30 minutes of the match frustrating and quieting the Anfield atmosphere.

Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville Criticise Xhaka

Xhaka received criticism from Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher for his involvement in the incident involving Alexander-Arnold, who was struggling to deal with Gabriel Martinelli during the game.

Neville was furious with Xhaka’s decision to engage Alexander-Arnold, he said, "Why would he? He cannot get involved, he cannot get involved. He’s been so good for Arsenal this season, that’s exactly what Liverpool would want.

“I mean what is he thinking though, Xhaka? Two-nil up away at Anfield, throws his arm or something into Trent. Just ridiculous. Trent reacts and then the crowd gets up, the ball’s already gone. It’s two-nil, moments before half-time."

Meanwhile, Carragher also condemned Xhaka's pregame theatrics and said that the player's moment of insanity was responsible for the Anfield crowd's increase.

The Liverpool legend said, “What is he thinking? 2-0 up away at Anfield, he just throws his arm into Trent. Just ridiculous. I think it did [get Liverpool going].

"It sounds silly, I'm glad Xhaka did it but I'm angry. I'm not an Arsenal fan but if I was an Arsenal fan, what are you doing?

"It’s absolutely daft. The game’s in your hands, you get involved - even leading the challenge with the arm, why do it?" the former Liverpool man continued. "And now going back head-to-head with Trent riles the crowd up and it’s absolutely idiotic from Xhaka to do that.

"Do you know what? He’s been fantastic this season in a slightly different role higher up the pitch, had a huge impact on this team, but that was going back to the old Xhaka.

"Honestly, who knows if it leads to the goal, we don’t know, but it was just for an experienced player to do something like that in this ground, and the position they found themselves in, there was only one way Liverpool could get back into that game and that was with the help of the terraces.

"If that was just a football game, Liverpool right now can’t compete with Arsenal, but with the energy in the stadium they can and they almost lost the game."

Ian Wright defends Xhaka

Carragher and Neville’s remarks were contested by Arsenal legend Ian Wright, who insisted that the Swiss midfielder was not to blame for Liverpool's comeback over the Gunners. 

Speaking on the BBC programme, Wright said, “It doesn’t take much to get that crowd going. Even if Granit Xhaka went in there and slapped someone it’s not going to get them going any more than they’re going to get going. The fact is that he’s been brilliant for us this season.

"I think the narrative is that people are trying to point at someone. That’s how Granit Xhaka plays. He’d probably play like that if he’s playing in his own garden! I wouldn’t put that (the result) on him. What I would put on us is the way we weren’t able to see that out and continue to play the way we played in the first half.”

With goals from Mohammed Salah and Roberto Firmino, Liverpool overcame a 2-0 deficit to earn an important point.