Arsenal: Matteo Guendouzi wrenching control from Granit Xhaka

Arsenal have a midfield conundrum, but if Matteo Guendouzi keeps taking touches from Granit Xhaka, things may start shaping up.

What do the Granit Xhaka apologists (myself included) always point to? They always point to how often Xhaka touches the ball. And while I understand the whole “that means nothing” argument, the facts are… it does matter. The more a guy touches the ball, the more opportunity he has to make an impact for Arsenal.

Xhaka used to find a lot of use out of those touches, but not so much anymore. He used to spray the ball, control the ball, dominate the ball. Now, not so much. He idles more, he slows play when it isn’t necessary.

But in response, his influence is waning as he doesn’t get as many touches on the ball. And that’s because Matteo Guendouzi has been wrenching the control away from Xhaka and taking it for himself.

Guendouzi has managed more touches than Xhaka nearly every time he’s started alongside him. And you know why that is?

It’s confidence. Guendouzi forces himself into the picture whenever anyone else has the ball and demands it. And when he gets it, he doesn’t pause and idle, he drives, he pushes, he gets into open space. Touch. Touch. Touch.

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Xhaka isn’t as comfortable on the ball lately. So he’s not as readily available to get the ball and, when he is readily available, he isn’t as appealing an option as Guendouzi. Even if it’s a subconscious thing, a teammate thinks about who they’re giving the ball too. If they give it to Xhaka, what happens next?

If they give it to Guendouzi, what happens next?

One is more appealing than the other right now, and it’s on Guendouzi to keep that positivity headed in the right direction.

I’ve always said that Guendouzi is the only person who I would support replacing Granit Xhaka, but he wasn’t ready yet. He needs to be more secure with the ball and not so reckless all the time. And that’s coming. he’s improving. And how can you tell he’s improving?

Because he’s touching the ball more and not proving to be any more of a liability. He’s taking the ball and not losing it as much. He’s not trying to bizarrely play ridiculous passes out of the back. He’s smart. He’s mature.

Don’t doubt the importance of taking touches. Because here I am, using touches to argue that Guendouzi could be right on the cusp of taking the starting job from my dude, Granit Xhaka.