Arsenal: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Can Bail Out Granit Xhaka

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was excellent in a central role on Saturday. The Arsenal midfielder may well have bailed out the foolish Granit Xhaka.

Granit Xhaka’s sending off was a terrible piece of play. First, and perhaps this was the most frustrating element of his moment of madness and petulance, Xhaka was enjoying one of his best performances since joining Arsenal, controlling the game with consummate professionalism, spreading the ball around wonderfully and defending diligently.

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However, after poorly playing the ball straight into the feet of Steven Defour, Xhaka then, clearly without thinking, lunged in, enacting a scissor-type action, missing the ball completely, catching Defour, before being forced to leave the field thanks to a straight red card.

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As such, he now is enduring a four-game suspension, leaving Arsene Wenger with only Francis Coquelin and Aaron Ramsey as viable options for the upcoming handful of games. At least, that was what we thought. After a tremendous all-round display playing in a central role in the five-goal demolition of Southampton on Saturday, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain forced his way into the thinking of Wenger. In his post-match press conference, the Arsenal manager declared that he saw Chamberlain’s future as a more natural fit shifted inside, rather than the wide position that he has played in for much of his career thus far:

"“I think he’s a good flank player and a good central player. But the future, personally I would say is more central than on the flank for him. When you’re young you want to push towards the flank. Why? Because central demands more experience, more tactical planning. Naturally, I think he is comfortable to be always involved.”"

They are significant comments from Wenger, especially given the current personnel issues that he is forced to wade through thanks to Xhaka’s stupidity. Chamberlain was outstanding on Saturday, displaying his famous willingness to drive forward, while clearly improving his ball retention, maintaining a pass completion rate over 90 % and also looking to create in advanced areas.

With a quick turnaround before Tuesday night’s fixture at home against Watford, and then a potentially title-deciding trip to Stamford Bridge just a number of days after, Wenger may well be forced to turn to Chamberlain to deputise for the suspended Xhaka, the injured Cazorla and internationally-occupied Elneny.

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This is a crucial period for Arsenal as they look to continue their success on three fronts. Their lack of options at perhaps the most important position on the pitch is a major concern. Thankfully, Chamberlain may well swoop in and save them, bailing out one Granit Xhaka.