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LONDON. — Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger praised his side’s solidarity for getting them over the line on Saturday as the Gunners held on with 10 men to beat Swansea City 3-2 in the English Premier League. “I have some mixed feelings because it looked at some points comfortable and then it never was. We could never capitalise on the two-goal cushion but at least we got the three points,” Wenger said.

Arsenal had to see out the closing 20 minutes of the game at the Emirates with 10 men after Granit Xhaka received a straight red card — his eighth in two seasons — for bringing down Modou Barrow with a lunge from behind.

“I would say when we went two goals ahead we lost our focus and when you are playing a team who are down the bottom and trying to stay in the Premier League you can’t do that,” Wenger added. “We finished with good solidarity and we made it over the line.”

Wenger has also confirmed that the club will not be appealing Xhaka’s recent red card during the Gunners’ narrow 3-2 win over Swansea on Saturday. The Frenchman has decided against it, despite criticising referee Jon Moss’ decision to give the Switzerland international his marching orders.

Xhaka was sent off after bringing down Modou Barrow with an outstretched leg on Saturday.

That forced the North Londoners to hang on to a victory which sent them level on points with English Premier League leaders Manchester City.

“No (we won’t be appealing),” said Wenger after the match.

“Before, in Germany, he had some (red cards) but I don’t think he’s a dirty player at all.

“He is not a natural defender. He is a guy who likes to play forward, and Barrow made a lot of it as well.

“Because he was gone, the referee saw a bad tackle. It is what it is, he has to learn from it. Intelligence means that you do not make the same mistake twice.” As the north Londoners are not appealing the red card, Xhaka will now likely miss games against Middlesbrough, Reading, and Sunderland, but should be available again for the north London derby with Tottenham.

But despite believing Xhaka had been on the receiving end of a rough decision, Wenger said he would not contest the dismissal.

“The sending off looked harsh,” said Wenger. “It was a definite foul but probably dark yellow. The referee went for a dark red. Will I be appealing it? No.

“He is not a dirty player. Do I need to speak to him? No. I think Barrow made a lot of it but you have to respect the decision. He has to learn from it.” — AFP.