Arsenal: Granit Xhaka shouldn’t be sold because of Sunday

Granit Xhaka was terrible in Arsenal’s 3-0 loss to Manchester City in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final. Many are calling for him now to be sold. But he shouldn’t be sold because of this one performance. He should be sold because of a season of sub-standard play.

Arsenal were far from the standard necessary against Manchester City. Sunday’s Carabao Cup final exposed several flaws that were already widely apparent, accentuating the gap between a team sliding into mediocrity and another just beginning to establish a dynasty. It was a stark and sobering affair.

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Many players were exploited. Shkodran Mustafi and his lapse defending. Mesut Ozil and his anonymity. Aaron Ramsey and his fitness. But perhaps no player looked more out of his depth than one Granit Xhaka.

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The Swiss international, who was signed a little over 18 months ago for £35 million and was expected to anchor a midfield that had desperately lacked a steel and fight that he allegedly brought, was slow in possession, losing it deep in his own on several occasions, played several wayward passes, especially as he looked more direct under pressure from the relentless City midfield, and failed to aptly screen the Arsenal defence, particularly in the second half as the pace, tempo and mobility of the match began to outmanoeuvre him.

It was a very poor performance from Xhaka. In fact, it may well be the worst performance of his Arsenal career, which is quite impressive given the level of his displays for much of his time in North London. It has led to widespread ridicule and criticism, with many people questioning his role in the team, demanding that Arsene Wenger take action, replace him and sign a successor in the summer transfer window.

That thinking, though, is not quite accurate. Xhaka should absolutely be sold. He is just not good enough, and he has proven it time and time again. But he should not be sold because of his performance on Sunday. He should be sold because of his consistently sub-par performances for far too long.

Such was the disparity between the two teams, it is unfair to pin all of Arsenal’s troubles on Xhaka. There were other culprits who are not deserving of absolution from blame. There was not one player — perhaps Jack Wilshere is the only one who could stake a claim — who could protest that they performed at a level anywhere close to their best or of what was expected, Xhaka included.

But because of that, it is therefore unjust to highlight and expose Xhaka without also adding comments on those around him. He was offered very little support from those around him. It is unreasonable to expect a central midfielder, who is connected to every player on the pitch, to play at a suitable level when those around them are not delivering to the same standard. That does not excuse Xhaka, it simply casts doubt on any meaningful conclusion drawn from this singular match.

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The meaningful conclusion must be drawn from an extended period. Unfortunately for Xhaka, and Arsenal, the results have been the same in isolation and extension. Xhaka should be sold, but that claim should not be founded on Sunday. There are far more deep-rooted and worrying reasons for that to be true.