While Arsenal enjoyed a spectacular first leg of the Champions League round of 16, former player Granit Xhaka didn’t fare quite as well.
Arsenal beat PSV Eindhoven 7-1 in the Netherlands on Tuesday night, to give themselves a commanding lead to take into the second leg at the Emirates next week.
Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen were defeated 3-0 by Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, courtesy of a brace from Harry Kane and a goal from Jamal Musiala.
Nordi Mukiele was sent off for Xabi Alonso’s side, while Bayern were also awarded a controversial penalty in the 75th minute, which effectively put the tie to bed.
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Former Arsenal star Granit Xhaka slams Michael Oliver
Xhaka opted to leave Arsenal in the summer of 2023 after enjoying a largely positive seven-year stint in N5.
The Swiss international has gone on to impress back in Germany with Leverkusen, leading Alonso’s outfit to the Bundesliga title last season.
Looking to oust Bayern again, this time in the Champions League, on Wednesday night, the German underdogs were comfortably beaten in Bavaria.
With the game poised at 2-0 to the home team, referee Michael Oliver opted to brandish a second yellow card for Mukiele after the defender fouled Kingsley Coman.
Just ten minutes later, Oliver awarded Bayern a penalty after Edmond Tapsoba was adjudged to have held back Kane in the box.
Kane converted the spot-kick, giving Leverkusen a mountain to climb in the second leg.
Speaking on the incident after the game, Xhaka said: “The frustration is huge. I need to take a deep breath before I say something wrong. I don’t want to talk about individual names.
“That kind of penalty wouldn’t be given from him in the Premier League. Disappointing. I know Michael from England.”
Clearly enraged by the decision, Xhaka will also have been frustrated by his own display, as he was hooked by Alonso in the 81st minute.
The third goal could make all the difference, with Leverkusen now having to mount a remarkable comeback in the second leg to remain in Europe’s elite competition.
Granit Xhaka was right to feel aggrieved by Michael Oliver’s decision
While the shirt pull from Mukiele was obvious, this sort of incident occurs at almost every set-piece at the top level and is very rarely punished.
Oliver has dismissed several incidents of violent conduct in the Premier League in recent seasons, yet was quick to act on this minor infringement from Tapsoba.
Leverkusen are now likely out of Europe, with the second leg almost entirely ruined by Bayern being granted the opportunity to score the third goal on Wednesday night.
Oliver has been at the centre of controversy in recent weeks in the English top flight, incorrectly sending off Myles Lewis-Skelly during Arsenal’s win over Wolves at Molineux in January.
The official also oversaw Everton’s dramatic late equaliser against Liverpool at Goodison Park, which prompted an outburst from Reds boss Arne Slot.
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