https://postimg.org/image/s7kz7ak59/

Posted that on another thread - how is that indefensible? I'm not disputing it's a penalty but that has nothing to do with the elbow, he just blocked Allen off and was clumsy. The elbow isn't raised, Allen is tiny and was already diving, so the elbow being in a natural position for a sudden movement ends up catching him in the face.

He threw the elbow slightly in my opinion. I don't think the penalty is as clear-cut as Bats is making it out. Howard Webb himself said it wasn't a penalty. Xhaka would have needed to throw himself away like he was avoiding a grenade or landmine, to get out of Allen's way. Allen basically ran into him. What inched the decision towards that pen is the awkward throw of the elbow.

Sheriff, intended or not, a flying elbow to the head isn't something that ought to be swept under the carpet, imo. I agree it's probably half instinctive as you turn to shield the ball from your opponent, but so's opening your arms out for balance when you jump, and the general agreement is that's a pen. Flailing your elbows is far more dangerous than that and refs shouldn't just let it go. Then again, Howard Webb didn't think De Jong (or whoever it was) plunging his studs into Xabi Alonso's chest was a red. He's a prize plum.

Xhaka's challenge was reckless at the very least, imo. How he escaped without even a booking is a mystery to me.

That said, I like Xhaka. Think he ought to feature more often for Arsenal.