Arsenal: 3 most important players when season resumes

2. Granit Xhaka

Another guy I almost included on the top performer’s list before I remembered how problematic he was before Mikel Arteta came in and saved the day. Granit Xhaka is perpetually one of our most important players because of the territory alone. He plays a role that can change the game. Plain and simple.

More than that though, with the midfield in a state of flux, Xhaka is the most consistent guy we got. He’s the guy we’re calling on to play so many roles—defensive midfielder, pivot, controller, all of the above. He has to do it all.

The thing is, he is quite capable across the board and still improving regularly. But asking him to do all those things effectively is a huge ask, obviously, that’s why Thomas Partey is being linked to heavily. But Partey can’t help us now. Only Granit Xhaka can.

The good news is that he was one of our top performers since Mikel Arteta took over. He and David Luiz have been phoenixes from the ashes, and I don’t feel stupid at all using that metaphor.

But no one is more important than No. 1.