Arsenal Vs Vitoria: Perfect for Granit Xhaka return

Granit Xhaka has not featured for Arsenal since he told fans to ‘f*ck off’ two weeks ago. But Wednesday’s Europa League match against Vitoria SC perhaps offers Unai Emery to perfect chance to reintroduce him to the team.

If you asked Granit Xhaka if he could turn the clocks back three months and just start the season all over, he would not be able to say ‘yes’ fast enough. It has been an utterly shambolic campaign for the Arsenal captain thus far.

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It all started with the second match of the year. The Gunners beat Burnley 2-1 at home. Xhaka did not play. But still to this day, that was the best central midfield performance from the team of the season. Xhaka’s absence played a crucial role in that. It was after this match that even his more ardent supporters began to question his role in the first team.

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When he returned to the team, his performances continued to underwhelm. He conceded silly fouls, gave away a terrible penalty in the North London Derby, and also lost his passing mojo, hiding in central midfield rather than looking to take command of matches, which is precisely what he is in the team for — that he was not producing what he was meant to was the biggest issue with his performances, even more than all of the defensive frailties that have continually undermined his influence.

This all came to a contentious and controversial climax two weekends ago. In need of a winner against Crystal Palace after squandering a two-goal lead, Unai Emery substituted Xhaka. First, the fans cheered. Then Xhaka goaded them. Then they booed. He then told them to ‘f*ck off’ and trudged down the tunnel. It was an ugly affair all around. Ever since that time, Xhaka has been dropped from the squad, Emery choosing to protect his club captain from the ire of the fan base.

What happens now remains to be seen. This is a very uncertain situation that, if managed poorly, could explode, especially considering the recent poor results of the team and the pressure Emery is under to right the ship. But at some point, Xhaka must either be reintroduced into the squad or sold, and given that he is, for now, the captain, it is unlikely to be the latter, at least not until the end of the season.

Therefore, Emery has a decision to make: When does he reintroduce an unpopular player among the fans, who happens to be the leader of the squad? Realistically, very few want to see Xhaka in an Arsenal shirt again, especially in the Premier League. But Emery obviously trusts him and wants to use him. And so, an impasse has been reached.

Perhaps, then, Wednesday afternoon’s Europa League match against Vitoria SC is the ideal opportunity to start Xhaka and reacclimate him into the first-team set-up. There have been reports that Emery is considering precisely that. It makes a lot of sense. A low-pressure game, away from home with fewer fans in attendance, against a lesser side who will give Arsenal time on the ball, games that Xhaka tends to do well in.

In the end, Emery will have to face the music and start Xhaka in a meaningful game. But for now, the easy path is the right one. And I am sure Xhaka will thank him for it, too.