Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney & Bukayo Saka injury nightmare welcomes Xhaka

Should Granit Xhaka Play at Left-Back Against Slavia Prague?

There is a lot to factor in for such a decision and in Arteta’s mind it will be a matter of weighing out the pros and cons to face the upcoming opposition.

Arsenal adopted a back three for large spells on Sunday with Xhaka and Rob Holding either side of Pablo Mari, one that was intended with the assumption that the Gunners would have the majority of possession on the night.

Using Thomas Partey as a solitary pivot in front, the closeness of the combinations in wide areas was key to Arsenal wrestling control and adding fluidity to their phases. Furthermore, it meant neither Holding nor Granit Xhaka had to overlap their wingers to provide width, with Arsenal favouring their right side trio of Saka, Nicolas Pepe and Calum Chambers.

This system allowed Arsenal to contain and control, using Xhaka’s left foot to feed the partnership of Dani Ceballos and Gabriel Martinelli, as well as some delectable cross field passes to switch play. Above all, him playing there provided balance. Arsenal were capable of building out from the back in an entirely different manner, one aimed to replicate (as nearly as possible) the amount of threat posed when Tierney plays.

In terms of benefits, it’s obvious what is added in possession. The issue, however, is out of it.

Xhaka did very well on the night against a dreadful team who almost solely attacked Arsenal’s right side. This being on the rare occasions they actually forayed forward at all.

Slavia Prague are expected – obviously not confirmed – to be less adventurous on the ball at home given their advantage, which may entice Arteta, but the thought of Abdallah Sima targeting Xhaka on that side is a risky strategy. Anyone of real pace will wildly expose him. He’s there to be attacked in behind, especially for a side who may adopt a counter-attacking approach.

But then the topic of risk comes into play, as Arsenal simply have to score. Can they go for the jugular early with this front-heavy approach and then revert to different setups? It may be worth doing if they are to dominate proceedings from the off.

Yet the biggest drawback of all is that is relies on Ceballos having another good game. While the Spaniard was excellent against the Blades, usually those displays are one in every five. There won’t be any wide receiver roles for him again, one can assume given the difference in quality between both teams, thus he’ll need to have another solid outing in the pivot next to Partey. That’s a big ask.

A lot will also depend on who returns from injury: Smith Rowe or Odegaard being fit changes the complexion entirely. Yet if it’s a decision hinging on Ceballos, it might be one worth avoiding.