Arsenal: Can Matteo Guendouzi succeed Granit Xhaka?

Granit Xhaka needs to be improved upon. That much, I believe, is clear. But could the Arsenal midfielder be succeeded by Matteo Guendouzi or is investment required?

I am writing this piece based on the premise that Granit Xhaka needs to be improved upon if Arsenal want to eventually challenge for a Premier League title. I admit that not everyone will agree with this stance, but that discussion is for another time. For now, though, I will continue based on this premise being true.

Catch the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal podcast right here

If that is indeed true, then it leads to a fairly simple question: Can Arsenal replace Xhaka in midfield with the players that they currently have in the team or must they invest in an external solution?

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

Looking at the current squad, there is only one player who I believe has the potential to succeed the Swiss international. Mohamed Elneny is little more than a reliable reserve. Lucas Torreira is already a starter. Ainsley Maitland-Niles is a very different type of player, though I would like to see him given more playing time in midfield as the season progresses. The only player that I believe could replicate and improve Xhaka’s influence is Matteo Guendouzi.

The French starlet plays in a very similar manner to Xhaka. He relies on his excellent passing range to dictate play from deep positions, he provides those foundational passes that every attacking move requires, he pierces the opposing defensive lines with progressive distribution, looking forwards with his play, but also balancing it with controlled, tempo-setting passing that allows Arsenal to have control.

But Xhaka can also do that, and, at this early stage, he might actually be better than Guendouzi at it. So why should Unai Emery look to make the switch between the two players? It seems like a sideways-at-best move.

Well, firstly, Guendouzi is noticeably more athletic than Xhaka. This helps him in his defensive work, obviously, as he is better able to track runners and cover ground in vast midfields. But it also allows him to evade pressure more effectively. Guendouzi has shown that he can dribble past opponents to break free of a high press. Xhaka does not have that in his locker.

Secondly, and more pertinently, Guendouzi is 19 years of age. Arsenal are not looking to win the title this season. They simply are not good enough. Emery is building a project that is looking to peak in two or maybe even three years’ time. Providing Guendouzi with playing time, even if that means taking a short-term hit on quality, with better prepare him for the future. Emery will have the best possible Guendouzi when it matters most. And the best possible Guendouzi is far more influential than Xhaka.

It remains to be seen whether Guendouzi actually can succeed Xhaka. It is far too early to tell, really. But it is something that I would like to see experimented with, because, if there is even a chance that he can, it is worth finding out sooner than later.