Arsenal: Granit Xhaka has the power to make that assertion

Arsenal have pushed themselves into the top five, but according to Granit Xhaka, it won’t stop there. And he absolutely has the power to make that assertion.

Arsenal got off to probably the worst start to any season they’ve had in quite some time. A narrow, yet thrilling win against Leicester gave way to back to back losses to Stoke City and Liverpool, with the latter being the most embarrassing loss in quite some time.

And yet here we are on our second international break and Arsenal sit in fifth place. Ahead of Liverpool. And just six points off the top. Seems like a cool place to be in given how it looked at the start.

Also, looks like the Champions League will be coming back to the North London (the side that matters).

But Granit Xhaka says that we don’t need to stop there. His words, as quoted by the Sun: “We are into our stride, and we have the top of the table back in our sights.”

Statements like these are a dime a dozen. Every other day a team in good form has someone come out and say “yeah, we can win everything,” and no one thinks too much about it. But when someone in a position like Granit Xhaka says it, you pay attention and think “hmm, maybe he’s onto something.”

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Why? Let me tell you.

Granit Xhaka has a position of power at Arsenal. A major position of power. The Gunners midfield has been a major source of success or failure. When they are on par, Arsenal generally win, or at least play effectively. Solidity in the middle of the pitch translates to a successful defense and a successful attack. I don’t think anyone doubts the personnel on either our defensive line or in the front three.

It’s what’s in between that becomes the problem. Opposing fast breaks that shred the midfield can’t be stopped, even by our stout defense.

Meanwhile, an irresponsible midfield never gets the ball to the attack for a strike back.

But when the midfield is clicking, the defense doesn’t have to face the full brunt of the attack and the offense doesn’t have to pray that they ever touch the ball.

Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka are that midfield heart. Ramsey is a floater though, and while he contributes to both sides, he isn’t the swivel point. Xhaka is. He’s the controller, the signal caller. If he’s sloppy, the team is sloppy.

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Xhaka is in a position where his own performances strongly dictate how the Gunners play as a team. If Theo Walcott says this, I don’t bat an eye. Even if Mesut Ozil says it, I don’t think too much. But Xhaka? The heartbeat of the transition game? Absolutely. Let’s gun for the top of the table.

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