Granit Xhaka verdict delivered by former referee after Aston Villa vs Arsenal incident

Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has explained why Granit Xhaka received a yellow card during Arsenal's win against Aston Villa on Saturday.

The Swiss international was booked in the first half of the clash at Villa Park, with some fans bemused at the referee Andrew Madley's decision. However, Gallagher has now given his opinion on the incident, claiming that the tough-tackling midfielder found his way into the book because of an accumulation of offences.

"If you look at the referee, the referee actually signals that it's for an accumulation of offences," he told Sky Sports. "If you look at the referee now, it tells you it wasn't just for that, it was one that had been coming.

"So I think that's why he gets it, it's not that he's picked on as you put it." Xhaka has previously spoken about how referees treat him, claiming that he is targeted by some officials because of his reputation.

Speaking to The Athletic back in December, the Arsenal maestro said: "I don’t want to give arguments for others to speak about me for stupid things. I try not to risk too much.

"When I once got a red card, the referee said to one of my teammates: 'You know how Granit is, he loses his head'. This feels wrong.

"Just because I lost my head against Burnley (last season) for example, it is not like I lose my head every time. To put me in this box like this I believe is wrong."

The 29-year-old has been sent off twice this season for the Gunners, receiving red cards against Manchester City back in August, as well as during a 0-0 draw with Liverpool in January.