Arsenal: Granit Xhaka Tackling A Help And A Hindrance

Granit Xhaka returned for his first start since the sending off for Arsenal on Tuesday and showed that his errant tackling can be a help and a hindrance.

For many years, Arsenal have lacked a steeliness, particularly in midfield, to ever put together a genuine and sustained title challenge. They have suffered the criticism of having a soft underbelly, lacking the necessary physicality to handle the challenges of a long and hard Premier League season.

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It is a far cry from the days of Patrick Viera and Gilberto Silva, with the rangy, long-striding giants surveying the middle of the park, marshalling proceedings and dominating opponents. However, the recent resurgence of Francis Coquelin hinted at a change in philosophy from Arsene Wenger and one of his summer signings confirmed it.

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The £35 million acquisition of Granit Xhaka shifted the makeup of Arsenal’s midfield from the slighter, more technical type players, to the physical, more athletic types. In limited time so far this season, though, it has not brought about the desired effect, especially with the Swiss sensation in defensive scenarios.

Against Swansea all those weeks ago, Xhaka purposefully and cynically brought down Modou Barrow on the halfway line to prevent a dangerous break from developing. It was a smart foul. Unfortunately, it was punished wrongly as a sending off offence and the Gunners had to see out the remainder of the game with only 10 men on the field.

While that was unfortunate, Xhaka came to the Emirates with a reputation of being reckless in the tackle with a horrific disciplinary record and has not learned from the early warning signs. Making his first start since the sending off in the 3-2 win over Ludogorets, Xhaka once again was close to seeing red, with Wenger eventually succumbing to the danger and subbing him off for Mohamed Elneny.

Xhaka’s tough tackling style is certainly needed for an Arsenal team that has lacked such a style for many years. Nonetheless, he must be far more sensible with how he goes about winning the ball back. He dives in carelessly, is too aggressive in the tackle and runs the risk of getting carded with almost every tackle he makes.

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The physical nature that he brings is certainly a help. The potential issues that it brings, though, could well be a hindrance that is too much for the team to overcome.