Arsenal: Granit Xhaka stumbling on one odd hurdle

Arsenal keep sticking with Granit Xhaka and it’s clear why, given his quality, but there is one odd hurdle that he just can’t seem to clear no matter how often he tries.

Arsenal were quickly put off the pace against Everton when Granit Xhaka‘s surrendered possession turned into a goal for Wayne Rooney and immediately the torches and pitchforks were out and the calls were made for Xhaka’s head. Supporters had seen enough.

You may not have noticed, but as the match progressed, those screams turned to mumbles and the mumbles into silence. Why? Because Xhaka had settled. He was doing supremely well after that mishap (which I’m still convinced was a foul) and the grumblers were seeing his merit, whether they knew it or not.

You can never question his passing, that’s what he was brought here to do. His ability to pick out longballs is second to none.

But growing into the spotlight is his ability to keep hold of the ball. And before you scoff, consider that Xhaka never lost the ball once after that tackle from Idrissa Gueye. Not once.

And, if you want to call that a fluke, then consider that he is only losing the ball, on average, 0.4 times per appearance. That’s tied with Nacho Monreal on the team and the only regular starter to average less surrendered possession is Laurent Koscielny. Well, and Petr Cech, thank God.

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Not just that, but Xhaka was stoic defensively against Everton, winning the ball back a team-high five times. And again, if you want to call that a fluke, Xhaka is fifth on the team in winning possession back, behind only Koscielny, Monreal, Shkodran Mustafi and a measly 0.1 behind Sead Kolasinac.

So tell me again about how he isn’t an effective defensive midfielder when you see it more times than not and the numbers back him up.

None of these constitute the problem, or the hurdle, that Xhaka can’t seem to overcome. The one thing he can’t seem to do is start matches up to speed. It always feels like he needs to make a few mistakes before getting into the flow of the game.

It’s an odd problem to have, but it’s costing the team, and the supporters, some serious stress. Not to mention it is distracting from just how solid Xhaka has been.

Next: 5 Things Learned Against Everton

It’s not a problem I remember many Gunners in recent times having, because usually if they start a match poorly on a regular basis, they are just poor players and playing the full 90 poorly as well. But not Xhaka. He nearly always comes around. Whatever the case, it needs to be sorted out.

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