Arsenal: Mohamed Elneny Could Derail Granit Xhaka’s Plans

Arsenal’s collection of midfielders are diverse and unique, but Mohamed Elneny and Granit Xhaka are quite similar, which means the Swiss may be in trouble.

Arsenal has loaded up on defensive-sitting midfielders, a position they avoided like the plague not all that long ago. With Francis Coquelin, Mohamed Elneny and Granit Xhaka all capable of defensive roles, there are options.

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Given the price tags attached to each one, Granit Xhaka looked to be the midfielder to end all midfielders. He was one of the brightest midfielders in all of Europe and his talent is plain to see and it differs greatly from Arsenal’s traditional DM, Francis Coquelin.

Xhaka can pass. Boy can he pass. His long passes are pinpoint and rarely ever misfire. His shot is a rocket and while he needs to reign it in a bit, the potential is there for a howitzer. Those are things Coquelin can’t exactly brag.

Xhaka is just a different player. A player with far more upside. A well-rounded midfielder that can do everything and learn to do it incredibly well.

But Mohamed Elneny, while Xhaka was spotted to a head start, could throw a wrench in his former and current team mates plans.

The Egyptian is also incredibly well-rounded, but given the price tag differential, there is no questioning who had more potential. But Elneny still boasts a similar skill set, albeit not as finely tuned. He has that long shot, the solid passing and the intelligence. He also has the lack of pace, so there’s that.

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The point is, if Xhaka continues to sell himself short in the impetuousness department, he is going to spot Elneny one hell of a chance to pip the spot from him,

Elneny has even gone so far in his love for the club that he wants to be an Arsenal legend. Granted, everyone wants to be a legend, but Elneny is a bit on the back foot in that regard. He’s somewhere in the middle of the midfield totem pole and Granit Xhaka was purchased at a massive price to do exactly what Elneny was supposed to do.

But it is this fire than can derail Xhaka’s plans at monopolizing the Gunner’s midfield. Xhaka, as mentioned, keeps setting himself back. All the progress of proving he is consistent and steady is nipped in the bud when you get suspended for four matches.

Elneny has had no problems like that.

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It’s a long shot, but there is a path for Elneny to take that would take him past Xhaka. Who doesn’t love a little internal competition?