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Arsenal’s Koscielny on Xhaka’s red card: We needed to show character
LAURENT KOSCIELNY hailed Arsenal’s character after they beat Burnley with 10 men yesterday.
Wenger: Xhaka needs to control his reactions on the field
Granit Xhaka almost cost the Gunners three points in their pursuit of the Premier League title when he was dismissed for a two-footed tackle on Steven Defour.
Arsenal were forced to play the final 25 minutes and injury time with one less at the Emirates.
And the advantage counted as Burnley equalised late on from the penalty spot.
Arsene Wenger was dismissed too on the sidelines for losing his cool with fourth official Anthony Taylor, but the players on the pitch kept their heads.
Koscielny & his Arsenal team-mates picked up three points against Burnley despite having a man less
Sometimes you need to show character in 10 men against 11 and I think we did it here
Koscielny won a penalty with moments remaining, converted by Alexis Sanchez with a panenka to earn a crucial 2-1 win.
The France international defender admitted Xhaka’s challenge was a ‘big tackle’, but highlighted the importance of the reaction of his team-mates.
“I think it’s difficult,” Koscielny told the club’s official website. “I didn’t see the situation, it’s a big tackle.
“Sometimes you need to show character in 10 men against 11 and I think we did it here.
Granit Xhaka has now seen red twice for Arsenal in the Premier League
Laurent Koscielny won Arsenal's very late penalty after receiving a boot to the face from Ben Mee
“For the confidence it’s very important to keep the wins on a roll. With the results this weekend it’s important to show our character and we did it.
“We play sometimes well with the ball but sometimes you need to fight for your team-mates and I think we did it here.”
Arsenal will now be without Xhaka for four games following his second Premier League red of the season.
And Wenger is also set for an FA charge despite apologising for his behaviour after the game.
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