Arsenal vs PSG: Granit Xhaka Or Bust

Arsenal look to top their Champions League group by taking care of PSG at home. It all starts in the midfield, where it’s Granit Xhaka or bust.

It feels weird to not have jitters going into a match like this. Arsenal went into Paris and eeked out a point against he French bulldozers, so technically, it should be easy to improve upon their performance. But it rarely ever comes easy for Wenger’s men.

Related: Wenger’s 10 Worst Signings Ever

Still, this match should have one clear theater of battle – the midfield. This is where the game will be won or lost and this is where Arsenal can have the upper hand if they so choose it.

PSG’s midfield is powerful, even outside of France. With Marco Verratti and Blaise Matuidi highlighting the corps, it boasts athleticism, intelligence and versatility. This is something that the Gunner’s must match.

I said something similar against Manchester United. That midfield was no where near what Arsenal could have produced, but Wenger played down to what United needed. He sent out a passive, one-dimensional midfield that was thoroughly handled by Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba.

Just saying it again makes me queasy.

This upped-ante in the opposition midfield means that our midfield has to be similarly upped. No more of this Elneny-Coquelin partnership. It will get eaten alive by Matuidi alone. They won’t be able to get forward and we will run into the same problem.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

My ideal midfield would be Granit Xhaka and Aaron Ramsey because that midfield has the same versatility, intelligence and athleticism that PSG’s will wield. But I have to be realistic and know that Wenger would sooner eat his own foot than start Ramsey centrally.

So we turn to Granit Xhaka. Inexplicably benched against Manchester United following a standout performance against Tottenham, our hopes and dreams of topping this group rest on Xhaka and, therefore, on Wenger’s ability to start him.

Someone in this midfield has to be able to maneuver the ball throughout the entirety of the pitch and that is not Mohamed Elneny. Or Francis Coquelin. Someone has to go toe-to-toe with the ferocity of Verratti and that someone has to be Xhaka because there are simply no other options.

Next: Arsenal's 30 Greatest Players Ever

Arsenal absolutely must show control and power when it is in their capabilities to do so and right now, it is absolutely in their hands. Granit Xhaka was bought for a reason, now use him for that reason.