Arsenal: Granit Xhaka Is Nearly Everything That Was Needed

Arsenal look to be showing tremendous initiative in their relentless pursuit of Granit Xhaka. What else do we need to know about Wenger’s ambition?

Not meaning to brag, but it looks like Pain in the Arsenal’s first ever transfer stamp of approval is going to be fulfilled. Granit Xhaka is reportedly traipsing about London upon completion of his medical and his deal is going to be sealed by next week. Given that the transfer window doesn’t even open for another month and eleven days, I’d say that Arsene Wenger is doing exactly what we wanted him to do.

Make no mistake about this signing – it is needed. I have read opinions on social media claiming that they don’t see the glamour in such a signing, but let me let you in on the glamorous aspect of this. It is needed.

Arsenal had a lot of recurring problems this year, but problems at striker and problems in the defense came and went. The midfield was shaky all year long. Rotating combinations would bring new versions of the same thing – an incomplete midfield. Arsene Wenger has clearly identified the midfield as a problem area because he has wasted absolutely no time in wrapping up Xhaka.

What Xhaka brings is exactly what Arsenal need and, specifically, exactly what Wenger needs to enact his vision. Wenger loves to play an undersized midfielder like Santi Cazorla at the base of the midfield, but that can leave the defense looking rather exposed. Arsenal’s center backs are at their best when they aren’t facing an attack head on. They need a midfielder who can disrupt things.

Francis Coquelin provided that, but he provided nothing else. That is what makes the Xhaka signing so flashy. He doesn’t just have the ability to disrupt opposing attacks. He has the ability to push attacks up from the back like Aaron Ramsey does. I have said it before and I will say it again, Xhaka is the complete midfielder. He has the defensive, disruptive abilities of Coquelin, the controlling abilities of Mohamed Elneny and the drive of Aaron Ramsey. All in one position.

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That gives Wenger tremendous flexibility to decide what he wants to do with that second midfield spot. Whoever goes there will have the benefit of having a comprehensive partner next to them.

This is exactly what Arsenal need. Most of the problems Arsenal had can be traced back to the midfield. They didn’t have the defensive abilities because not all of Wenger’s midfielders have that, especially when Coquelin is out. They didn’t always have the offensive drive, especially when Elneny and Coquelin are out. Xhaka encapsulates it all.

Next: 5 Potential Replacements For Arsene Wenger

The deal isn’t done yet, so I should probably shut up now. But expect it next week. This is most certainly a deal to get excited about and it shows how seriously Wenger is taking improving the team. If reports are to be believed, Wenger upped his bid several times to meet Borussia Monchengladbach’s asking price. When Wenger sees a piece he is missing, he gets it.

Xhaka is that piece.

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