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Arsenal Vs Chelsea: 5 things we learned – FA Cup Glory

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: Arsenal players celebrate with the trophy during the FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 1, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: Arsenal players celebrate with the trophy during the FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 1, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 01: Mason Mount of Chelsea in action with Granit Xhaka of Arsenal during the FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 1, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 01: Mason Mount of Chelsea in action with Granit Xhaka of Arsenal during the FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 1, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) /

4. Granit Xhaka’s limitations on full display

From the first minutes in which Mason Mount picked his pocket as he failed to turn into space, panicking under pressure in the process, Granit Xhaka’s limitations were on full display throughout, particularly in the first half.

His most egregious moment was Chelsea’s opening goal. He first allowed Christian Pulisic to slide in behind the midfield. Then, he did not track the American into the penalty area, leaving space for the Chelsea striker to have an easy finish as he slid past Kieran Tierney. His lack of urgency, attentiveness, and mobility was painful.

Overall, his defensive awareness was poor. He was easily pressed, consistently playing poor passes to Rob Holding who then subsequently lost the ball, and he rarely progressed play like his midfield partner, Dani Ceballos.

Xhaka has been integral to Arsenal’s midfield under Mikel Arteta, and he forecasts to be the same next season. But his limitations are clear to see and they will consistently undermine his impact on the pitch. Even on an excellent day, Xhaka’s vulnerabilities are unavoidable.

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