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Arsenal: Coquelin, Xhaka Debate Resolvable By History
By Josh Sippie
Arsenal has had a situation like the Coquelin, Xhaka debate before, and it can be resolved by taking the same measures taken last time.
Arsenal‘s surplus of talent is going to lead to many positional feuds where guys are looking to stake their claim on their position. It has already happened at striker and it is now happening at the base of the midfield.
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The season started out with Coqzorla, a proven combination that guided Arsenal to their initial rounds of success. Upon the injury to Coquelin, Xhaka took over and, just like that, we have a debate that needs resolving.
This is arguably the toughest positional challenge to resolve in recent memory, but there are a couple ways we could do it. The first way, and in my opinion, the best way, is to use history as a guide. For the sake of continuity, resolve this the same way it has been resolved before. Thankfully, we don’t have to look back too far to see the last time this needed resolving.
Look two years back, in the 2014/15 season. Aaron Ramsey, fresh off the back of his world class efforts in the 2013/14 season, was set to resume his spot at the base of the midfield, and rightfully so. He had earned it and proved that he belonged there.
However, after an injury knocked Ramsey out, Cazorla was given the role. The Spaniard held the role well until Ramsey returned, at which point Ramsey was not given the role back. It stayed with Cazorla.
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Despite an unbelievable showing by Ramsey in that very position, the fact that Arsenal had not suffered under Cazorla led Wenger to push Ramsey out wide.
It was a telling moment for Wenger, and one that has to be factored into the current debate. Coquelin was holding down the job well, but an injury got in the way. Now that Xhaka has proven to be no setback and Arsenal are cruising right along with the Swiss in their midst, it would be a bit skeptical if Coquelin was tossed right back into the starting role.
Yes, he has earned it, but so too had Ramsey. Xhaka is the Cazorla in this situation. You can’t remove him because he’s done nothing wrong either.
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It will be interesting to see what Wenger opts to do. Thankfully, either way, this midfield is in fantastic shape for a long time to come.