Arsenal: Granit Xhaka Drama Has Gone Long Enough

Arsenal were yet again without their new (and expensive) midfielder Granit Xhaka and it’s gotten to the point where there is no explanation.

Arsenal needed to procure three points to ensure a top spot in the group and as such, you could argue that they needed to put their best foot forward and therefore their best players. Up front there was Olivier Giroud – that’s a good start.

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But in the midfield we were yet again robbed of the presence of Granit Xhaka.

Now, without even taking the result into consideration, what on God’s green earth is the logic there? Xhaka had a fantastic match against Tottenham, he controlled the game without even committing a single foul.

Not only that, but he frequently put himself in positions to score goals, something we have never ever seen from Coquelin or Elneny. I recall two times where he was in a perfect position, he just missed it by a literal smidgen.

Benched for absolutely no reason against Manchester United, the effect was so obvious. Coquelin and Elneny could not manage anything in the match, as the Gunners brought nothing from the back. It all had to come from the forwards and they looked just as stumped.

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I thought that match would guarantee a return of the Swiss into the starting XI, mainly because the guy was rested. But I was wrong… again. Wenger threw Ramsey and Coquelin out there and we saw more of the same. Well, mostly. Ramsey was actually very effective but Coquelin looked like he had nothing to do with this game.

Whatever lesson or knowledge that Wenger is trying to impart upon Xhaka, just let it be, because this midfield needs a boost. It needs something. It needs a presence and that presence can reach its peak with Ramsey and Xhaka.

This is two matches now where his presence was sorely missed. And yes, I mean his specific, versatile presence. What ever is so adverse to the idea of Ramsey and Xhaka partnering in the midfield has to be overcome because that is the only partnership, outside of Coqzorla, that has any hope of delivering the midfield steel that the Gunner’s so desperately need.

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The possession game is being lost and that all starts with the guys who touch the ball the most. How can I say it any clearer? There is no longer any reason to put this off. Nor has there ever been, really.