Arsenal vs Everton: Granit Xhaka still the best option by default

Arsenal’s loss to Watford has caused many to declare that Granit Xhaka should be dropped, but he’s still the best possible option. Even if by default.

Arsenal supporters have had a go at Granit Xhaka, as it was him that was the last offender before Tom Cleverly thumped home the winner at Vicarage Road and sucked the remaining life out of a deflated Gunners.

However, he was a scapegoat and nothing more. Thierry Henry took the play apart piece by piece and pinpointed a handful of other responsible parties who also could have stopped the threat, but didn’t.

Still, it’s hard to ignore that, on the day, Xhaka wasn’t at his sharpest. It’s been that way off and on this season, as the Swiss midfielder still seems to struggle with the pace of the game and how to move the ball quickly.

His passing is still superb, but when it isn’t his passing that’s needed, he tends to struggle to acclimate.

As such, many would like to see him dropped from the team so that he can take a breather and refocus himself. Then he will be forced to work his way back in and he will be better and all that good stuff.

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I wasn’t opposed to this idea either. Xhaka still has a lot to learn and I still believe a good old fashioned benching is the quickest way to teach a lesson. But the problem with this entire scenario is that there isn’t any other better option.

Technically, there is. Jack Wilshere should be given his chance, but next to Aaron Ramsey? That’s dicey. I like the idea of giving Francis Coquelin another shot too, but he, too, has struggled next to the Welshman.

Not just that, but both of these potential solutions was ruled out by Arsene Wenger, who said that the team is in two rotations right now, and that means that both Wilshere and Coquelin are off the board.

Which leaves Granit Xhaka, some youth players or Mohamed Elneny. The Egyptian is the ultimate utility player, but we have constantly been reminded that he is not starting XI quality and if it comes down to him or Xhaka, I’m still choosing Xhaka.

Next: Arsenal's Predicted XI to face Everton

Which means that, by default, Xhaka cannot be dropped. There isn’t another option. And this is why we really need to be taking the impending Leon Goretzka free seriously. Because no one can fit the void that we have better than him.

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