Arsenal: Walcott, Mustafi Shake Up Top 10 Player Power Rankings

9. Granit Xhaka

Remember that time I said that Arsenal is rolling, so getting everyone crammed into a top 10 was going to be incredibly difficult? Well, this is what I meant. As a self-proclaimed, eternal Granit Xhaka supporter, I have only found it possible to fit him into ninth on this list. But I don’t feel bad about it.

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While Xhaka has fired off some dazzling shots and put in some impressive shifts at the office, the fact of the matter is that his presence isn’t exactly lifting the club up anymore than it already is. Not at this point at least. Everyone ahead of Xhaka on this list is either already embedded in and making a difference or they are one of the main reasons why Arsenal are in such a good state at all.

We fully expect that to change and, as I wrote earlier today, that change could be against Burnley, but until that time comes, Xhaka will hang out down here. There is no shame in ranking in at ninth on Arsenal’s power rankings at this juncture, where goals are easy to come by and defensive solidity is a given.

He just needs time at this point. Let Xhaka build his fortress in midfield and showcase its strength. Then we will talk.