Arsenal: Arsene Wenger Inadvertently Proved Necessity Of Granit Xhaka

Arsenal are all about gambles at this point, but it was still shocking to see Arsene Wenger gamble on removing Granit Xhaka. That didn’t work.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger acknowledged that in order to qualify for the Champions League this year, he would have to – rather uncharacteristically – take some gambles on his club. That could mean a variety of things and we are already seeing a variety of things. The 3-4-3 was bred in this light, as well as numerous personnel changes.

However, some players seemed like they were nailed into the system. Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil (for whatever reason), Laurent Koscielny, etc. When healthy, they are so important to the club that they seem to be beyond reproach.

Even Mesut Ozil.

Granit Xhaka was starting to fit into that crowd as well. His ability to maintain control, spread the ball around, and keep possession was such a needed component for a team that was starting to look a bit unhinged.

Again, it was all about control, and Xhaka oozed it.

He had gone eight straight matches playing the full 90 minutes because his presence is absolutely a necessity.

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However, in the crucial match against Tottenham, Xhaka was removed from the game just over the hour mark for Danny Welbeck. Which got me wondering if maybe the Swiss midfielders leash is getting a bit short, because there were plenty of options for substitutions. A center back, for instance, because we had three in there.

Whatever the case, it was all about getting more attacking power in there. That bit makes sense. Wenger wanted to keep the shape of the formation, he just wanted more firepower.

It’s what happened next that might have given Granit Xhaka haters the biggest shock all year. The team looked to absolutely fall to pieces without their midfield general in there. They couldn’t keep the ball, they couldn’t prolong their attacks, they couldn’t do much of anything.

And that isn’t a coincidence. Up to the point where Xhaka came off, the Gunners at least had some semblance of shape. Sure, they had mentally collapsed for two consecutive goals, but they handed even more momentum over to the Spurs by taking off the one player they had capable of slowing things down and re-centering the game.

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If nothing else, this shows us how important Xhaka is. I have been saying this all year, but the guy can’t be measured by stats. He has to be seen to be appreciated. Or better yet, let’s say he had to be unseen to be appreciated.