5 Arsenal Alternatives for Granit Xhaka & Hector Bellerin

Ainsley Maitland-Niles – Central Midfield

Of all the suggestions for either position heading into Wednesday, Maitland-Niles in central midfield will be peddled the most.

Having played there once in about 200 years, the performance against Rapid Vienna perked ears up to the possibility. Against desperately weak opposition he put in a superb display, floating around the midfield in an ever-maneuvering performance littered with neat one-touch passes and aggressive running into the inside channels.

Someone who’s grown accustomed to the demands of playing full-back was able to use his athleticism in the middle of the park, a useful tool at either end of the pitch.

As with most changes, Arteta will be reluctant to field him in that role without a larger sample size, although the deepening crisis doesn’t abide by the laws of time. It’s become so desperate that wholesale change is demanded, which includes playing an entirely different profile of player in the centre of the park.

What is there to lose at this stage that outweighs what could be gained?