Arsenal: Selling Granit Xhaka A Downright Shortsighted Proposition

Arsenal has had a mixed bag of results from Granit Xhaka in his inaugural year, but suggesting he should be sold is downright shortsighted.

Arsenal signed Granit Xhaka with a clear purpose in mind. Arsene Wenger had been after him for a couple years and he promised the young man paradise if he came to North London. And now, after just a year, people are actually suggesting that he should be sold.

Related Story: 10 Reasons Wenger's One More Year Makes Sense

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I won’t deny them of that, but suggesting that he should be sold after just one year is, with all due respect, stupid. But more than that, it is so short-sighted.

First of all, Wenger knew when he signed him that he wasn’t the best tackler. So, in order to cover for that, he has placed him as the sole deep-lying midfielder in a holding two and asked him to be a box-to-box midfielder.

Something about that just doesn’t click. It is a work in progress and that work could be facilitated a lot faster if he is used in the right capacity. For instance, suddenly the midfield looked a lot stouter when the Gunners deployed in a 4-3-3 with Xhaka, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all revolving around in the midfield.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

The 4-2-3-1 that Wenger uses has proven to be far too rigid for the players that he employs. It depends far too heavily on Mesut Ozil and can get shut down quickly.

With guys like Xhaka, Ramsey and Ox, along with Alexis, there is a certain need for freedom. A need for expression. And so long as you expect Xhaka to be a defensive midfielder while knowing full well he isn’t that type and also admitting that you don’t want him to be that type, there are going to be problems.

But pinning that on Xhaka and demanding that he be sold is purely and wholly ludicrous. Manchester United are known for selling people far too quickly. Guys like Angel Di Maria. Look how that has worked out for them.

Sometimes it’s just about finding the right fit in the system. Xhaka is immensely talented. All the club has to do is utilize him the way he is meant to be utilized. Stop trying to force him to become what he isn’t.

Next: Arsenal's Potential XI Under Thomas Tuchel

But sell him? That’s irresponsible and shows a massive streak of mental weakness. This man could be the future captain if you allow him to be.