Arsenal vs Manchester City: 5 key players in colossal clash

3. Granit Xhaka

I was quite surprised to see Granit Xhaka left out against Cardiff City, but I was not surprised to see the results of him being left out. Torreira struggled, Mohamed Elneny wasn’t enough, and while Matteo Guendouzi played quite well, he, too, wasn’t enough to bolster a flimsy midfield force.

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Surely Xhaka was just being given a rest, seeing as how he has played in every single match (that he’s been eligible to play in) this year, and that can take a toll on someone – yes, even someone that moves as slow as Xhaka. Although he has gotten faster, you know?

More to the point, Xhaka will be needed to provide the foundation for winning the battle in the midfield. City traditionally play with a three-man midfield full of attacking prowess, but they can’t attack if they don’t have the ball, and Xhaka is the only midfielder that the Gunners have that I have confidence in with regards to holding onto the ball.

Plus, when all else fails, he can be a chance creator too, with his line-braking and cross-pitch passes. If we are finding opportunity in the attack hard to come by, Xhaka can change it in a second.

Moving on to No. 2.