Regarding Xhaka. He seems an average player. But as augie says, he is new to the PL and it's a bit rash to write him off already. The problem is that with Wenger there I don't hold out much hope for the manager "getting the best from him".
Regarding his red card on Sunday? Not a red for me. But then I'm a man, I grew up watching and playing a man's game, with contact in what is, after all, a
contact sport you fucking whiney bitches.
He didn't go in over the ball and catch the oppo player mid shin on his standing leg, he wasn't steaming in at pace in a totally reckless fashion. He went to the side of the player and barely caught him. How many of those did Vieira throw in during his heyday and oh how we cheered him on! Especially if Roy Keane was on the receiving end!
It was a foul, a yellow at worst.
BUT...
As the rules currently stand, yep it's a deffo red card because he was not in control and his feet were off the ground. A stupid rule, but it is the rule. And even though I don't think it was a red on Sunday, I do agree he is as thick as shite. He knows the rules so he needs to adapt his playing style to stay within the rules. Also, have you noticed he (like our last "hard man" Captain Stupid Flamoney
) has that penchant for throwing in these unnecessary tackles in nothing situations out on the half way line or the touchline?
Still, let's give him a season or two to settle in and see where he is at that point.
Probably Palace.