Arsenal: Granit Xhaka doesn’t need to be benched to start Jack Wilshere

Granit Xhaka was underwhelming to a degree against Southampton, but he shouldn’t be benched. Not even to start Jack Wilshere. Because that isn’t necessary.

Granit Xhaka made three or four poor passes in Arsenal’s match-up with Southampton, which automatically means he should be benched. Ignore that he created the second most chances. completed a ton of passes and was secure over the ball.

Related Story: 5 Things Learned Against Southampton

The call goes on – that Jack Wilshere should be brought on to replace Granit Xhaka. This is the solution that many see as the all-purpose, key to victory fix-all for a midfield that can be a bit underwhelming at times.

However, this believe is thoroughly wrong. And I’m not just saying this because Aaron Ramsey is hurt and Wilshere can step in for the Welshman instead. I’m not even just saying this because of the clear similarities between a potential Ramsey, Wilshere partnership.

I am saying this because there are so many better ways to get Jack Wilshere into the game that don’t involve sitting someone with the capabilities of Xhaka.

The point is that Wilshere does deserves to start, but that doesn’t have to happen in reaction to Xhaka being benched. In fact, any situation where Wilshere starts, Xhaka should remain on the pitch, and I see this happening in one of two possible ways.

Either Alexis Sanchez gets moved to the bench in favor of a forward-lying Wilshere (yes, I actually wouldn’t mind seeing this happen) or the back three becomes a back four, seeing as how the defense is terrible enough as is, might as well try for more control in the midfield by letting Wilshere, Xhaka and Ramsey into the same formation.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 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
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

The former, benching Alexis, will obviously never happen. Wenger thinks too highly of him or something. So the latter has to be the one that we hope for. A traditional 4-2-3-1 may be of some some use, with Wilshere or Ozil taking the No. 10 and the other suiting out wide, but we’ve been in a similar situation before.

I am actually more intrigued by a potential 4-4-2 diamond formation, with Xhaka flanked by Wilshere and Ramsey in the diamond and Ozil up front. Then Alexis can play as a false 9. I’d rather see Olivier Giroud on instead of Alexis, but it’s not my call to make.

It’s still risky letting Xhaka sit the furthest deep, but even with just Xhaka and Ramsey, this midfield was able to overrun Tottenham with ease. Manchester United too. So to think that having a three man central midfield, more like a 4-3-1-2, there might actually be enough coverage in the midfield to justify docking a defender.

Next: Arsenal vs Southampton Player Ratings

Xhaka is a scapegoat. People would miss him if he were removed. That’s why he isn’t being removed. We can get Wilshere out there without ditching the Swiss.