Thierry Henry accuses Arsenal star of ‘sleeping’ against Crystal Palace
Thierry Henry reacts to Granit Xhaka's performance for Arsenal against Crystal Palace
Thierry Henry accused Granit Xhaka of “going to sleep” in the second half of Arsenal’s 3-2 win over Crystal Palace to allow Ruben Loftus-Cheek a chance to score.
The Gunners returned to winning ways at Selhurst Park on Thursday night as they successfully bounced back from their 3-3 draw with Liverpool FC last week.
Shkodran Mustafi fired Arsenal into the lead with a cool volley in the first half but Andros Townsend netted an equaliser for the home side shortly after half-time.
However, two quick-fire goals from Alexis Sanchez put Arsenal 3-1 up, before James Tomkins’ late goal set up a tense finale.
Arsenal held on to claim all three points and move level with north London rivals Spurs in the table.
However, the game could have been a very different affair had Loftus-Cheek scored his chance shortly after Townsend had equalised.
And Arsenal legend Henry blamed Xhaka for allowing the on-loan Chelsea man a chance to score.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Henry said: “You can see Xhaka going to sleep and not following Loftus-Cheek.
“Yes, if he scored there the game would have changed. He had a chance to score there but he didn’t.”
Xhaka seems to split opinion amongst Arsenal fans but it is clear that Arsene Wenger rates him highly, given that the Swiss midfielder has started all 20 of the Gunners’ Premier League games so far this season.
