Arsenal: Granit Xhaka at the heart of proceedings again vs Watford

Granit Xhaka is yet again a crucial piece of the Arsenal puzzle against Watford. There’s a reason he keeps finding himself in these kinds of positions.

Arsenal have a crucial match-up coming up against Watford. After winning six straight in all competitions, they will have the chance to leap over the Hornets and into a Champions League position, where they will hold their fate in their own hands.

But if they repeat what they did against Everton, chances are things won’t go so smoothly. Everton pressured the hell out of the Gunners, particularly in midfield, and in the end, the boys in red were pretty lucky to walk away with three points, let alone a clean sheet.

Watford will know the drill and they will do their best to upset the flow that the hosts seek to establish. And, in the process of disrupting anything, there is one man that comes front and center for everything. That man is Granit Xhaka.

As many noticed (because of course they only notice the bad), Xhaka was rough at the start against Everton. He really struggled to settle into play, he gave the ball away in precarious situations and he just wasn’t a reliable ball controller. Which is something he really needs to be.

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 fact that he lasted 90 minutes, however, tells another story. He definitely shaped up and learned how to deal with the pressure. But the point remains that Watford will undoubtedly be targeting him and hoping to disrupt the control that he seeks to establish.

That said, we find ourselves yet again depending on Xhaka to build a foundation for the team early on. And let me remind you that he finds himself in this role for a reason.

It’s because of what he is capable of. There is no one else on this team that can control a game like Xhaka. That’s why when things go bad, it’s so noticeable. That’s why, when things go good, he rarely gets the credit. When you are touching the ball 50 more times than any other player (on average) you have more control on the game than anyone else.

The Gunners rely on that. They really need him to be ready to control the pace and flow of the game and, if he isn’t, it will certainly show.

Bring on the best Xhaka and the game will be an easy ordeal. Anything else and things will get questionable.