Arsenal vs Bournemouth: At some point, Granit Xhaka will click

Arsenal have had some trouble with their midfield this season, and part of that is because Granit Xhaka hasn’t clicked. But it’s an inevitability.

Arsenal fans are always quick to forget everything positive that Granit Xhaka does in favor of leaping on every minuscule negative thing he has the misfortune of committing. Which means that it’s always going to seem a lot worse than it is.

That said, it hasn’t been the best start to the season for Xhaka because of the simple fact that it’s incredibly noticeable when he isn’t at his best, because it ripples across the rest of the team and negatively impacts them as well.

Even I have had trouble defending him this year, and that’s when you know it’s been hard going. But if you want to know (which you do, whether you know it or not), I’m not an ounce worried about Xhaka.

And neither is Unai Emery, who continues to start his captain, and will continue to start his captain, because he too knows the difference in his team between when Xhaka is in form and when he isn’t.

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He also knows, however, that the majority of his time at Arsenal, Xhaka has been in form. Particularly later on in his time here at the club. Last season was spectacular, barring his return from injury at the end of the season.

Xhaka got chosen as captain for a reason. That reason is because he has the belief of everyone on the team and everyone associated with the team, starting and ending with the manager. You don’t get there if there isn’t a belief in your importance to the club.

Bournemouth presents another opportunity for Xhaka to click into place. And you’ll know when he does. We all will. There is a pervading confidence when he’s out there on the pitch, doing his thing and, like I said, it will be like a ripple across the pitch. Everyone will be better off when they have that foundation to lean back on when necessary. That foundation of Xhaka’s peerless control.

The good thing about Bournemouth is they are dealing with a lot of injuries, and it would be an excellent opportunity for Xhaka to gain some confidence moving forward.

If not, it will come. It always comes. Granit Xhaka is too good and too reliable to stay out of form for that long. Like it or not.