Arsenal star Granit Xhaka has been banned from tackling by Arsene Wenger – after boss realises his new £30million holding midfielder cannot do it

WHEN Arsenal paid more than £30million to sign Granit Xhaka from Borussia Moenchengladbach in the summer, they knew they were signing a player with a poor disciplinary record.

What they didn’t realise was that they were buying a holding midfielder who doesn’t know how to tackle.

But now Arsene Wenger has ordered the clumsy Swiss international not to put a foot in because he can’t be trusted every time he tries to win the ball.

“I think it is down to his technique,” Wenger claims. “He’s not a naturally great tackler. The way he challenges is not really convincing.

“Tackling is a technique that you learn at a young age. I would encourage him to stay on his feet and not to tackle.”

Those astonishing instructions have left Arsenal supporters wondering exactly what Xhaka brings to their team.

Former Manchester United star Paul Scholes was another midfield player who was a danger to himself and everyone around him whenever he went into a tackle.

But Xhaka is certainly no Scholes.

Earlier in the season Wenger likened his new signing to former double winner Emmanuel Petit.

Talk about wishful thinking. That comparison has proved to be about as accurate as a Yaya Sanogo shot.

Xhaka, 24, is about to start a four-match ban after collecting his second Arsenal sending-off of the season during Sunday’s fiery 2-1 win against Burnley.

He was shown a straight red card by referee Jon Moss for a reckless two-footed lunge at Steven Defour.

It was also Moss who dismissed Xhaka against Swansea in October for an ugly hack at Modou Barrow.

It means the player has now been sent-off NINE times in less than three years for Moenchangladbach, Switzerland and Arsenal.

To add insult to injury, he was also questioned under Police caution this week after being accused of racially abusing a member of the BA check-in staff at Heathrow.

The player has denied making any racist comments and has explained the incident in a face-to-face meeting with Wenger this week.

“I have never heard anything bad said about Xhaka,” Wenger insisted. “I must say that he has been absolutely marvellous to handle on a daily basis with his commitment and dedication.”

Yet even Wenger is not convinced that he can rely on a player who spends so long in an early bath he must have the skin of an 80-year-old.

“The sending off on Sunday was harsh because it was a clumsy tackle, not a dangerous one,” Wenger says.

“I don’t think he wanted to injure anyone but he has to learn that he can be punished for these kind of challenges.

“Unfortunately we will now lose him for four games in a very important part of the season. Hopefully we will get away with it.”

Or maybe they will be better off without him.