Arsenal: Granit Xhaka Can Cushion Worst Case Scenario

Arsenal does not want to lose Mesut Ozil or Alexis Sanchez, but if that worst case scenario were to unfold, Granit Xhaka can cushion the fall.

Both Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil are/were such big deals to Arsenal because they were the Gunner’s return to world class signings. These are big deal signings that can make all the difference and elevate a team to a whole new level. They can carry the team when need be and be relied upon to always do their job.

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We obviously have to talk a lot about their contract situation, therefore, as it is a serious situation that will continue to be incredibly serious until there is a resolution.

There is a lot of prep work involved when thinking of how Arsenal would cope without these two. Who would fill their roles, who would power this offense, etc. But we also have to ask who would pick up the sullen, downtrodden Gooners and who would grab the team by the scruff of their neck and pull them back to life.

To Wenger’s credit, he actually prepped incredibly well for that situation with the additions of Shkodran Mustafi and Granit Xhaka. But, given the positional relevance, it is Xhaka would would be the major cushion.

You need a world class player to take on the added burden when other world class players exit and by the time they would, Xhaka will have reached his stride and become a major player. Even now, he could do the same.

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Anytime an exodus happens, you need control. You need a base to rely upon and there are few sturdier midfielders than the Swiss boulder. His calm, solid composure cannot be replicated with any other midfield combination and, as I have made perfectly clear, Wenger’s insistence on sitting Xhaka is equal parts frustrating and befuddling.

Xhaka isn’t going to leave. The only reason he would is if he becomes the next Joel Campbell, but I can’t see that happening. Xhaka was promised paradise and now that he is here, it falls totally on him to reach that promised land.

Even with Ozil and Alexis sticking around, he is going to continue to grow into the spotlight and become one of the major players in this first team all the way up until the point where he is on the same level as the dynamic duo.

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He is simply too talented and too intelligent not to.