Granit Xhaka is the first person to admit that he has picked up a few too many cards in the past.
The Switzerland international was sent off six times for club and country during his time at Borussia Monchengladbach, collecting 48 yellow cards in the process.
However, Xhaka has now gone eight games without being booked and says the Premier League’s physicality is helping him learn to control his aggression better.
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“There are of course phases in the game where the line becomes blurred, but then you need to step up psychologically,” he told Arsenal Player. “I play with a lot of emotion because I’m a passionate guy and I play with that passion.
“I love playing that way. Sometimes you’re late onto the ball, sometimes you’re not. Sometimes you make contact with the guy when you tackle him, sometimes not. It’s a sport where individual duels are vital so I don’t see it as a problem.
“I wouldn’t change myself for anybody. I am who I am, people accept me or they don’t. I have my strengths and my weaknesses which I can try to improve upon, of course. I’m still not the finished product. I’m only 24 so I’ve got plenty of time to keep improving.”
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