Arsenal: Granit Xhaka Enjoying Newfound Real Estate In Midfield

How Bukayo Saka is Helping Granit Xhaka Sing

The deployment of star boy Bukayo Saka at right wing along with the emergence of Emile Smith Rowe has been somewhat transformational on this Arsenal team. In this case, it’s specifically Saka’s move to the right-hand side that is key. Throughout the season Gunners’ fans have bemoaned the imbalance in the side, complaining about Arsenal’s propensity to attack exclusively down the left-hand side.

Now, with Saka playing at right-wing and either Gabriel Martinelli or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, both of whom naturally look to drive into central areas, playing left wing, Arsenal’s entire left side is finally living up to its true potential.

Xhaka finds himself in areas that are far less congested, and it becomes simpler for him to find viable passing lanes to a very in-form Kieran Tierney. Now that opposing defenses aren’t penned in tracking Saka, there is far more acreage for both players to function. This new freedom was perfectly displayed in Xhaka’s key pass to Tierney against Chelsea which set up the opening penalty and the pre-assist against Newcastle in the FA Cup to seal the deal.

Xhaka is a player who relies on time and space to play his game. Unlike Partey, the Swiss is not what you would call press resistant, so the new pockets of space left behind after Saka’s shift to the right has truly unlocked Granit in many ways.

Yes, Xhaka can dig himself into holes that often require world-class free-kicks to get out of, but at the moment his upturn in form is not simply down to force of personality, but a growing balance and synchronicity throughout Arteta’s entire starting XI.