Arsenal: Let’s not overhype Granit Xhaka-Matteo Guendouzi debate

After their differing displays against Manchester City, some are questioning whether Matteo Guendouzi should start ahead of Granit Xhaka. But let’s not overhype the debate surrounding the Arsenal midfielders just yet.

Granit Xhaka is an extremely divisive player, perhaps the most intensely so in the whole of the Arsenal squad. Signed for £35 million two summers ago, the expectation — at the very least, the hope — was that he would come in and dominate midfield battles throughout the Premier League, very much like N’Golo Kante has done for Chelsea who was signed in the same window.

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Those expectations have been wildly disappointed. Xhaka has shown only glimpses of the deep-lying orchestration that he can allegedly provide, has consistently struggled with the pace of English football, in and out of possession, and proved himself to be a long way short of the £35 million valuation that Arsenal adjudged him to be worth.

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And now, two years later, there are many calling for Xhaka to be dropped from the line-up. I myself have called for him to be dropped from the midfield, though not quite as vociferously as some others who are more critical of the Swiss international. These shouts have only intensified with the burgeoning presence of 19-year-old Matteo Guendouzi, who was signed from Lorient in the summer for approximately £7 million.

Guendouzi was not especially thought of as a starting option this season. He has made only a handful of senior starts in his career and Lorient played in Ligue 2 last year. Any amount of action would have been a huge step up in level for him. But after a blossoming preseason, Guendouzi quickly established himself as a possible starter. He was indeed trusted to anchor the midfield against the champions, no less, on the opening weekend of the season.

Guendouzi played alongside Xhaka. He looked substantially more comfortable. No player had more touches than Guendouzi, he was the boldest in showing for the ball and receiving it from the defence, looking to move the play up the pitch, and he improved as the game progressed, especially when Xhaka was replaced by Lucas Torreira in the second half.

Of the two players, for one match, Guendouzi was the better of the two players. And it wasn’t really that close. And some have used this performance to suggest that Guendouzi should not be the starter over Xhaka for the season — or at least for the foreseeable future until injuries or performances dictate otherwise.

To me, that seems a little hasty. In that one match, Guendouzi was certainly the better player. But that doesn’t mean that he is the better player and is the better option for the Arsenal midfield moving forwards. Xhaka has his flaws, without question, but his greater experience in the Premier League, his understanding, his leadership, and his calming presence, when he is comfortable, which I believe he will be with Torreira alongside him, are all attributes that I am not sure Guendouzi can replicate consistently each and every game he plays.

The debate seems a little hasty. It’s been one match. Yes, Xhaka is a frustrating player. Yes, he has his flaws. Yes, Guendouzi is energetic and young and new and exciting. But let’s not rush to judgement just yet.