Jamie Redknapp questions why Arsene Wenger won’t play Arsenal signing
The Liverpool legend is baffled over Arsene Wenger's reluctance to use Arsenal summer signing Granit Xhaka
Jamie Redknapp says he is confused about Arsene Wenger’s reluctance to start Arsenal summer signing Granit Xhaka.
The Switzerland international moved to the north London club in a £33m deal from Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer transfer window.
Xhaka was used as a second-half substitute in Arsenal’s last three stalemates with Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.
The 24-year-old midfielder has started six of Arsenal’s 13 Premier League games in the 2016-17 season so far, while Xhaka has made a further four appearances from the bench.
Former Liverpool midfielder Redknapp admitted that he was surprised Xhaka didn’t start against Jose Mourinho’s side in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United, although he did feature against Bournemouth on Sunday.
“I was staggered that he wasn’t included against United. When you pay £30-odd million for a midfielder, surely that’s the kind of game you want him to play?” Redknapp told Sky Sports.
“Wenger might look back at that and think it was a mistake.”
Arsenal signed five players in the summer transfer window after the Gunners finished in second place last season.
Wenger started his summer spending spree with the £33m acquisition of Xhaka from the Bundesliga.
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The Gunners boss snapped Germany international Shkodran Mustafi in a £35m deal from La Liga outfit Valencia.
