Granit Xhaka: Arsenal star’s poor tackle deserved a red card and was symptom of poor control on the ball

SUNSPORT’S expert gives his take on the weekend’s Premier League action.

TOO HARD, GRANIT

GRANIT XHAKA'S challenge for Arsenal against Burnley was bizarre. Everyone knows the rules, yet still he jumps in like that.

He was asking for a red. It’s a desperation thing following a poor touch or, in his case, a bad pass.

I love a sliding tackle if it’s timed well. But the difference is players are still in control. With both feet in the air, you are not.

DIM’S BRIGHT SPOT

THE Dimitri Payet saga at West Ham has had a galvanising effect on the team.

When big players are missing, others can come out of their shells and take responsibility. Previously they may have subconsciously relied on Payet.

A player on strike like that can also create a siege mentality with the rest.  And the results pick up!

ANDY CAN BE HANDY

IF Andy Carroll can stay fit, he gives England an option they don’t have.

In the past two games he has scored three very different goals: that scissor kick against Palace, a classic No 9’s header and a poacher’s goal.

It shows he is not one- dimensional. He should be on Gareth Southgate’s radar.

UNSELFISH WAYNE

I LOVED Wayne Rooney’s goal at the weekend — what a strike!

But what I admired more was his reaction. It was all about getting the ball back.

It was a massive personal goal for him but he was all about the team. He was more interested in winning than celebrating.

GERRO’S GENIUS

HAVING Steven Gerrard back at Liverpool as a coach is brilliant for the club. Imagine being a kid and he comes in to do your coaching. You would hang on his every word.

At United I was like that when we had Nobby Stiles and Brian Kidd as youth team coaches.

I didn’t see them play but we knew they had won the European Cup in 1968.