Arsenal: Yes, the Granit Xhaka injury matters

Granit Xhaka was withdrawn for Switzerland on Tuesday night with an adductor problem. Any injury to the Arsenal midfielder would be hugely detrimental.

The international break is an eternal waiting game, simply hoping that nothing bad happens. For Arsenal, it has often spelled injury and trouble for their stars. How many times did Robin van Persie suffer a strange ankle issue with the Netherlands just as he was hitting form for the Gunners?

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And during this March international break, given the importance of the upcoming games in April, including a Europa League semi-final against Napoli and six Premier League matches that could determine the fate of the top four, waiting on injuries is even more nerve-inducing.

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As such, in typical Arsenal fashion, it pains me to say that a key player has indeed suffered an injury. Granit Xhaka, playing in Switzerland’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Denmark, asked to be substituted early with what his manager later described as an ‘adductor problem’. After the match, Xhaka posted on Instagram that he was ready to return to north London and a match against Newcastle United, so his status is a little up in the air. But he still suffered some form of issue.

It remains to be seen what extent of injury Xhaka has actually suffered, but even his greatest detractors, of which I am perhaps more inclined to be a part of, must concede that his absence would be extremely detrimental to Unai Emery’s plans. As has been illustrated throughout the season, a Xhaka-less team does not fare very well at all.

While a lot has been said about the impact that Lucas Torreira has had on Xhaka, with his legs and energy a huge help to the sluggish Swiss midfielder, the same can be said for the opposite. Xhaka’s range of passing, his eagerness to progress moves into attacking areas, his dictation of play is critical to Torreira, who is limited in possession.

Although Matteo Guendouzi also possesses this same passing ability, he lacks the positional understanding and discipline. His inexperience has been exploited in the past. Xhaka is obviously not the perfect player and I have been quick to point out his flaws in the past, but his largely positive impact on the team undeniable.

If he is unavailable for Monday’s match against Newcastle United, Arsenal should be fine. Guendouzi, Torreira and Aaron Ramsey are more than capable of filling in. But should Xhaka miss more time, potentially the Europa League tie against Napoli and matches against Everton and Watford, then the midfield may suffer.

Time will tell just how badly Xhaka is injured. Let’s hope it is not for too long. But make no mistake about it, his absence would be hard felt.