Arsenal: Granit Xhaka crucial to Mikel Arteta

Granit Xhaka has looked revitalised under Mikel Arteta. Because of his left-footedness, the midfielder is now critical to the Arsenal system, but that is not necessarily a good thing.

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has implemented several brilliant tactical wrinkles into the base 4-2-3-1 shape that has aided the players at his disposal, putting them in better positions to succeed.

Listen to the latest episode of the Pain In The Arsenal Podcast here!—The Rebuild 2.0

For instance, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, a central midfielder by trade but playing at right-back, comes inside when the team is in safe possession to help build out from the back. Bukayo Saka, a winger playing at left-back, is pushed into very advanced areas of the pitch to exploit his offensive-minded skill set.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

But perhaps the most pertinent and impactful has been Arteta’s adaptation of Granit Xhaka’s ‘central midfield’ position. By the base formation, Xhaka is indeed playing as a central midfielder in the double-pivot between the front four and back four in the 4-2-3-1; but on the pitch, this role changes quite substantially, the Swiss international often taking up spaces that mirror a left-sided centre-back or defensively positioned left-back. He must still recover into midfield when Arsenal are defending, but in possession, Xhaka shifts wide and drops deep to aid the possession-play of the team.

His left-footedness, lack of speed and wide range of passing make this role perfect for him. He is more difficult to press as the opposing winger is pushed back by the advanced position of the left-back and the defending central midfielder does not want to vacate the middle of the pitch and he is afforded far more time on the ball to pick out his passes and dictate play from deep — Xhaka’s long passing has once again come to the fore in this new, adapted role.

While the role is designed to protect Xhaka and hide his substantial weaknesses as a more orthodox central midfielder, namely his lack of athleticism, dependence on his left foot, and inability to receive the ball under pressure, Xhaka is also the ideal player to fulfil the duties of this role. There is no one in the squad who can replicate the processes that he can. Xhaka is critical to Arteta’s system.

He has looked revitalised since Arteta’s arrival, which is a testament to the Spaniard’s man-management, coaching ability, and tactical acumen. But it is also a problem for the long-term sustainability and success of the current tactical approach. Yes, Xhaka is excelling in this new role and can likely play a key part in rejuvenating Arsenal’s form over the remainder of the season, but those same shortcomings remain and they will eventually be exploited.

With Xhaka playing a key role in the team, there is a limit to the success Arsenal can have. He simply has too many restricting weaknesses to overcome. Football is too fast-paced for him to handle, the high press is too suffocating, and teams will key in on his reliance on his left foot. Xhaka is a capable player flourishing in a new role, but it is not a good thing that Arteta is dependent upon him.

For now, then, Xhaka’s role is a positive wrinkle that helps him and the team. And his performances have been stellar in this role. Arsenal will improve as a result. But there is a limit to that improvement. Arteta’s reliance on Xhaka is not a good thing.