Jump directly to the content
Video
FARCENAL

Watch Xhaka and ex-Arsenal pal Lichtsteiner embarrass themselves with botched free-kick routine in Switzerland defeat

GRANIT XHAKA and Stephan Lichtsteiner failed to spark Arsenal into life last season - and the pair are still not on the same wavelength.

The Swiss internationals, who spent the last campaign together at the Emirates, tried a complicated free-kick routine in the 1-0 Euro 2020 qualifier defeat against Denmark last night.

 Swiss international Granit Xhaka runs up to take the free-kick
5
Swiss international Granit Xhaka runs up to take the free-kickCredit: Grabs
 But goes past the ball and spins back towards it
5
But goes past the ball and spins back towards itCredit: Grabs
 Stephan Lichtsteiner then makes his run and steps over the ball
5
Stephan Lichtsteiner then makes his run and steps over the ballCredit: Grabs
 Xhaka is back and well placed to tee-up his team-mate
5
Xhaka is back and well placed to tee-up his team-mateCredit: Grabs
 But the Arsenal man stands looking bewildered and the routine fails to pay off
5
But the Arsenal man stands looking bewildered and the routine fails to pay offCredit: Grabs

But they have been ridiculed after making a complete hash of the set-piece, with Gunners captain Xhaka taking yet more fire.

As both players eyed up the ball, Xhaka ran past the free-kick before circling back around.

Lichsteiner, now at Augsburg, then ran over the ball and made a dart down the line - hoping to be found for a crossing opportunity.

But Xhaka just stood over the ball looking confused as his bewildered team-mate's run led to nothing.



One fan sarcastically commented: "The brilliance of Xhaka and Lichtsteiner!"

But others claimed Xhaka's struggles this season may not be of his own doing after watching the midfielder put in a decent shift, the free-kick blunder aside.

A tweet claimed: "Watching Xhaka play for Switzerland tells me one thing. Emery doesn’t know how to use his players. Period."

And another added: "Maybe but won't take long till Xhaka delivers. Yesterday he had a rocket shot tipped onto the bar."

Although one explained: "Xhaka looks good because the quality on international matches is lower and slower than professional club level".

Arsenal face newly-promoted Sheffield United next Monday looking to keep pace with Manchester City.

Arsenal star Bukayo Saka, 18, not allowed into first-team dressing room at club’s training ground
Topics