Arsenal: Granit Xhaka and the left-footed excuse

Granit Xhaka is everpresent for Mikel Arteta in the Arsenal midfield. But is his starting place only secure before his left-footedness? And if so, how long can the excuse last?

The Arsenal midfield has been heavily rotated, altered, entirely uprooted, and evolved this season. From key absences due to injury, rifts with the manager, or antagonising the entire fanbase, there has rarely been much consistency in central midfield this season. But since Mikel Arteta has taken over as head coach, there has been one everpresent figure in the heart of his team: Granit Xhaka.

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While Xhaka was largely left out to dry by Unai Emery earlier in the year, leading to infamously telling the supporters to ‘f*ck off’, under Arteta, he has been brought back into the starting XI and has been made a crucial piece of the slanted 4-2-3-1 system, especially as Bukayo Saka has featured increasingly prominently at left-back.

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One of the primary reasons for Xhaka’s presence is his left-footedness. Arteta, like Pep Guardiola, likes a nice balance of left and right-footed players in the team. They both believe that it helps with ball movement, passing angles, and the tempo at which combinations can be played. And for Xhaka, playing in a left-sided midfield role that often becomes a third centre-back when Saka — or another left-back — pushes into the final third, his natural reliance on his left foot is used to its advantage.

However, while Xhaka being left-footed is an obvious plus for the type of central midfield role that he currently executes, that is not a sufficient reason for him to be considered an everpresent starter in what is a team hoping for a top-four finish and more. Simply being left-footed and happening to fit into the manager’s system is not sufficient reason. Xhaka — and any other player, for that matter — must provide more.

Now, there are some qualities that make his game extremely effective in a deeper role. His range of passing comes to the fore when he has more time on the ball. He is able to progress play with piercing balls into teammates between the lines. He is also a capable defender and is positionally very disciplined and aware.

But there are also significant weaknesses. His immobility is still a major problem, especially when trying to contain counter-attacks, he struggles to dribble past opponents if he is pressed high, and when he does step into more advanced areas of the pitch, he lacks the close control and agility to create openings.

Moreover, if Arteta was to revert to a more traditional 4-2-3-1 shape, — or even a 4-3-3 shape with a single holding pivot — which is very possible upon the return of Kieran Tierney, Xhaka would struggle. He does not have the quickness and range to play as a single pivot and he is too easily pressed when playing as a part of a double pivot. This role that he currently plays not only provides balance to the team, but it protects him from his own weaknesses.

And so, whether it be later this season, whenever that may be, or in the summer, Arteta must make a decision: is Xhaka in the team because he is left-footed or does he provide more? Because, it becomes quite clear that being left-footed is not enough.