Darren Bent criticises Granit Xhaka following Arsenal defeat

Former Tottenham Hotspur forward Darren Bent has claimed that Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka 'should be embarrassed' with his performance against Sheffield United in the Premier League earlier this week.

The Gunners entered Monday's clash at Bramall Lane off the back of a strong run of form but were undone by a scrappy goal from Lys Mousset in the 30th minute of the contest.

Bent questioned Xhaka's leadership qualities during the defeat in Sheffield and also insisted that the Switzerland international is currently being out-performed by young teammate Matteo Guendouzi.

"For him to be their captain, at the minute that's just sending the wrong message. Yeah, he might be a good player but at the minute he's not performing well, he's not leading the team well," Bent told Football Insider.

"What he needs to do is look at the guy next to him, in Guendouzi. If I was Granit Xhaka, I would be embarrassed in my own performance with the way a 19-year-old kid next to me is playing. He's doing everything I should be doing."

Unai Emery's side will attempt to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they welcome Crystal Palace to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon.