Arsenal: Granit Xhaka continues to defy misconceptions

Granit Xhaka has suffered a turbulent and inconsistent first season. But in Arsenal’s win over Manchester United, he continued to defy many misconceptions.

As many new Arsenal recruits have experienced in the past, the first season in the Premier League can be a challenging one. At a new club, in a new environment, adapting to a new culture, playing alongside new teammates against new opposition in new stadiums. There is lots of change and little time to adapt.

Related Story: Arsenal Vs Manchester United: Player ratings

The turbulence and the difficulty have been something that Granit Xhaka has faced in spades. He came with a reputation for hot-headedness. He came with a reputation as a rangy, accurate passer. He came with a reputation as a tough-tackling, disruptive force. He has lived up to all them, both in their successes and failures, but has also cultivated a stigma for himself.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 observations from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park

His early struggles have seen him labelled as an over-eager tackler, someone who will dive in at every opportunity, often hanging his head as the red is brandished over him once again. He has been criticised for his ponderous, lethargic play on the ball, seemingly lacking tempo and intensity in his passing. His mobility, or lack thereof, has been highlighted as a major shortcoming, one that will restrict his success on these shores given the pace of Premier League football.

And yet, while all of these characteristics carry some amount of truth, there are also elements to his game that suggest he could yet develop into what Arsene Wenger believed he would be when he invested £35 million in his services. He is a physical presence in an often weak and overpowered Arsenal midfield; his range of passing is outstanding and his striking of the ball from distance is a genuine threat that opposition teams will have to take account for.

It was these qualities that came to the fore in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Manchester United. In rather fortuitous circumstances, it was his willingness to buy a raffle ticket, and then the power with which he did so, that broke the deadlock; his tempo-setting distribution was much better against an opposition that, rather foolishly, decided not to pressurise someone who has struggled to deal with high-pressing defences; his strength in the tackle to recover possession, and then look forward with it, instigated attacks and breaks on a number of occasions.

This was the type of performance that was expected of a Bundesliga captain, a Swiss international and a midfield marvel that even Wenger deemed worthy of such heavy investment. And while it has been a far too rare occurrence, it shows signs that his first-season struggles are not as indicative of what is to come as many would have you believe.

Next: Arsenal Vs Manchester United: 5 things we learned

Xhaka has the physical and technical talent to lead Arsenal forward, anchoring their central midfield and driving their attacks from deep. Sunday was another example where the once justified misconceptions of his game are beginning to be defied. There are still many improvements to be made and much consistency to be found. But signs of life are there. We just have to be patient.