Arsenal: Like it or not, Granit Xhaka the first name on teamsheet

Granit Xhaka has started every game he has been fit for Arsenal this season. Like it or not, he is one of the first names in Unai Emery’s team, despite his lacking performances.

Unai Emery is not enjoying a particularly prosperous start to his second season in charge as Arsenal head coach. Only two wins from his first five games, just one-and-a-half good performances from his side, and a painful eight goals conceded, as well as the most shots allowed in the division, the early signs are far from positive for a team that was allegedly ready to make a top-four push.

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And at the heart of this lacking start to the campaign is central midfielder Granit Xhaka. The lumbering Swiss international has always been a divisive figure in north London. But this year, his shortcomings have grown increasingly apparent, with even some of his greatest supporters ceding that he is now more of a hindrance than a help.

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Xhaka was very poor in the season-opener against Newcastle United. He then struggled mightily against Liverpool two weeks later, missing the home victory over Burnley, which was, not coincidentally, Arsenal’s best midfield performance of the season, and put in arguably his worst performance of his north London tenure the week after in the North London Derby. And again against Watford, while he was not the primary culprit for yet another calamitous team display, he certainly was not a solution to the problems either.

In fact, after the match, Xhaka even admitted that he and his teammates ‘were too scared’:

"“No-one wanted the ball. In the end we are happy to take a point. We didn’t show our game in the second half, we were too scared.”"

It is not exactly what you want your temporary captain admitting after throwing a two-goal lead down the drain, though give credit to him for facing up to the media and answering honestly.

All of this has come to a head among the fan base, with many calling for Xhaka to be dropped from the starting line-up. This is especially pertinent with the emergence of Joe Willock, immediate impact of new signing Dani Ceballos and progression of both Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira, the latter of which has only started one game this season and offers a unique scrappiness and bite to the midfield that is irreplicable by others in the squad.

And yet, Xhaka seems to be the first name in the central midfield on the teamsheet. The only match he missed this season was due to injury. Emery has entrusted him with a role of leadership, though it is a little curious why he has not yet been named permanent club captain. No matter the formation used, from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-3-3 or even a 4-4-2 diamond, Xhaka has a clear role in the team.

Whether he deserves to be held in such high regard, there is very much an argument to be had. I have been critical of his performances for over a season now and would have replaced him a long time ago. But Emery sees things differently, and that has been made quite clear this season. Despite his recent toils, Xhaka continues to be used as a key player in the team.

Like it or not, Xhaka is trusted by Emery. Greatly. And that means he will play every game he is fit. With that being the case, then, hopefully he can finally figure things out, not that I will be holding my breath.