Interview

‘We’re all disappointed in the dressing room’

Granit Xhaka after the Leicester game
Granit Xhaka after the Leicester game

Our top-four hopes were dealt a significant blow on Sunday, as we were beaten 3-0 by Leicester City.

It means that Champions League qualification is now out of our hands, with Chelsea currently two points clear of us in fourth following their 1-1 draw with Manchester United.

We must, in all likelihood, now win our two remaining Premier League games against Brighton & Hove Albion and Burnley to be in with a chance, and Granit Xhaka says the biggest challenge will be rebuilding our confidence after another setback on the road.

“The confidence, you take only if you win, if you fight, if you have a good result,” he said. “We are all disappointed in the dressing room and not happy, of course not, but we have to look forward and the next game is Thursday.

“We have been fighting to win. It is not that we don’t fight because if we don’t fight, we don’t go to play. But it is difficult to explain. After this game or whenever you lose, it is always difficult to find the right words.”

Thursday’s Europa League semi-final against Valencia serves as an alternative route to qualifying for the Champions League, and Xhaka is hoping for another big atmosphere at Emirates Stadium.

“If you are in the semi-final, you are two games from the final,” he said. “I know anything can happen but if you are three games from the title, you have to think positively.”

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