Arsenal: Granit Xhaka is the most important central midfielder, and that’s a problem

Upon his immediate return to the starting XI in Thursday’s victory over Southampton, Granit Xhaka proved that he is Arsenal’s most important central midfielder. And that is a problem.

It was telling that Mikel Arteta wasted no time in ushering Granit Xhaka straight back into his starting XI. Xhaka had missed the majority of the Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion defeats due to an ankle injury that he picked up in the opening stages of the City loss. As soon as he was available for selection, Arteta thrust him right into the heart of his Arsenal midfield.

Xhaka has endured a turbulent time at the club, to say the least. Signed as the midfield solution for £35 million, he has rarely lived up to that sum. Equally, to say he has been as poor as his harshest detractors would also be inaccurate. Xhaka has value. But how much?

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

Well, to some, that Arsenal immediately won upon his reinstatement to the starting XI, a 2-0 victory over Southampton that displayed a greater control in central midfield, he is the most important midfielder in the squad. And given his performances under Arteta, especially prior to lockdown in a left-sided central midfield role that protected his shortcomings and made use of his dominant left foot and wide range of passing, it is a fair judgement to make. Certainly, the midfield misses him when he isn’t there.

After the Southampton victory, Arteta heralded Xhaka’s presence in his post-match press conference:

"“He’s a big presence. He’s someone who doesn’t hide. He has very clear principles and values, and he puts that on the pitch every time he’s there. His commitment is excellent and he’s a really good example for the rest.”"

Xhaka’s importance to Arsenal’s midfield is undeniable. But that does not mean it is not problematic. In fact, that he is so crucial to Arteta’s system is not a feather in his cap but an indictment on those around him. Xhaka is key to the midfield because the other options are so lacking or raw. They are unreliable, but that does not eradicate Xhaka’s severe limitations.

Even his performance against Southampton, which has been curiously lauded, featured a disastrous second half in which he touched the ball just 20 times and was entirely bypassed as he floundered to chase after the ball, the Southampton midfielders buzzing around him with much greater sharpness and quality, in and out of possession.

Nothing has changed from before. He is still painfully immobile, overly dependent on his left foot, and struggles mightily when pressed, unable to spin clear of potential challenges or play quick combinations with nearby teammates to shuttle the ball forward. All these issues still remain, it’s just that his positive qualities make him more dependable than the other options.

Xhaka, then, is indeed Arsenal’s most important midfielder. The first half performance against Southampton illustrated as much. But that is not a positive. In fact, it is an extremely concerning indictment of where the squad currently is. It is, instead, a problem to be solved. Arteta has some work to do.