Arsenal: Granit Xhaka Aspirations Paint Crystal Clear Picture

Granit Xhaka has been raking in some mixed reviews in his inaugural season at Arsenal, but a lot of that comes down to image. Which he may have just cleared up.

Arsenal needed a defensive midfielder like no other. For a decade we have been without the menacing presence and it led to a soft, plush core that was easily pushed over. Granit Xhaka was seen as the solution to that problem, but the problem within that solution was pretty obvious.

We were expecting Xhaka to be something he isn’t. And Arsene Wenger has been perfectly clear about the Swiss midfielder – he isn’t here for his tackling.

Meanwhile, Xhaka himself has been perfectly clear – he isn’t here for the goal scoring.

The job that Xhaka does isn’t one that is going to be laden with statistics. I have had people tell me, in my infinite defenses of Xhaka ‘I need statistics,’ and I understand that mindset, but it doesn’t work for Xhaka. He isn’t going to pile on the goals, assists, tackles or any other quantifiable factor of success.

In order to get the best out of Xhaka, you have to understand what he is here to do and he has definitely helped that process by telling us who he aspires to be like.

Along with having Patrick Vieira as the de facto idol, Xhaka has opened up about the importance of first-touches for midfielders like him, and used Xavi and Zinedine Zidane as examples.

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That is a pretty solid picture to think about what Xhaka is gunning for. Xavi and Zidane are both slower midfielders who still managed to be two of the best in the history of the game. They used their passing and their control to dictate the flow of the game and while they never did it in the physicality of the Premier League, Xhaka has the strength to make that role work.

Plus, Xhaka can look to Zidane’s disciplinary record as a bit of inspiration as well. You can be mean and still be effective at this role.

Plenty out there are starting to see why Bayern Munich want Xhaka – he is just like Xabi Alonso, another player of this ilk who controls the game in terms of touches and passing.

Xhaka clearly has a perfect idea of what he can be, what he wants to be, and what he is right now. He isn’t willing to alter who he is and we shouldn’t have any problem with that. Clearly there was an understanding in place already or Wenger wouldn’t have shoveled out the cash to bring him to Arsenal.

Next: 10 Reasons Wenger's One More Year Makes Sense

We have seen a boost in his form lately and if Mohamed Elneny keeps playing like he did against West Ham, we may have found the key to unlocking this midfield.

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