Arsenal: At this stage, Granit Xhaka critical

Arsenal’s midfield was completely outmanoeuvred against Everton on Sunday. At this stage in the squad’s development, Granit Xhaka is absolutely critical.

To say that Arsenal’s midfield struggled in Sunday’s 1-0 away loss to Everton would be an understatement. Unai Emery was so concerned with the lack of control his team could exert on the match that he went to dramatic lengths to attempt to turn the tide, making two half-time substitutions and changing to a 4-2-3-1 formation from a back three.

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In the end, the change made little difference. There was a brief improvement early in the second half, but by the time the Everton players adapted to the new shape, the normal pattern of suffocating pressure and lost authority reigned.

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What really hurt Arsenal was their inability to keep the ball and progress the play forwards in the midfield areas. Because of Everton’s high press, Mohamed Elneny and Matteo Guendouzi were especially hesitant to play forward passes, with little speed in the final areas to stretch the pitch and no space in central zones as a result. Everton could squeeze the pitch without fear that they might be beaten over the top with a more direct pass, just as they were doing to Arsenal, bypassing the compacted midfield in the process.

The Gunners needed one of two things: a more direct approach out of defence to clear the Everton press and feed the attacking players into more space from deep; a midfield general to conduct play, despite potentially being under pressure when receiving the ball and needing to play difficult, line-splitting passes.

Emery commanded his team to attempt the latter strategy, as he has all season long. But all season long, he has had Granit Xhaka to call upon to orchestrate play through the midfield areas. With no Xhaka, an extremely limited Elneny, and a headless Guendouzi, Emery persisted with a strategy that he did not have the players to execute.

At this stage in the Emery era at the Emirates, Xhaka is a critical piece of the puzzle. There is no other player in the team that can conduct play as Xhaka can. Aaron Ramsey tried to in the second half but his passing range lacks the consistency of his Swiss teammate. Guendouzi has the skill set and the capability, but his positional discipline and inexperience is a concern.

If Emery is persistent with playing through opponents’ pressing strategies, then he needs to have Xhaka available. Xhaka certainly has his flaws. I have been keen to point them out throughout the years. And I still doubt his title-winning abilities. But given the present options in the squad, his importance is undeniable.

Xhaka is critical to Emery’s Arsenal puzzle. Let’s hope, then, that he can return as soon as possible.