Arsenal: 12 Granit Xhaka transfer replacements

This is set up to be a summer transfer window like no other at Arsenal. Fans were teased with the prospect of a mass overhaul with complete and utter remodeling although seeing it in full motion truly runs it home. Granit Xhaka looks like the next on the chopping block and replacing him becomes of paramount importance.

Xhaka has received more criticism than any other player of the Emirates era. Shkodran Mustafi can fall into that category and runs him close, but there has been no figure quite as divisive. And this coming off the back of his best season in red and white.

Arsenal announced their candidates for Player of the Season and Xhaka was unfairly overlooked. He’s by no means deserving of winning, but for a top five he absolutely warrants a mention.

But Arsenal can’t keep sitting on their hands; can’t be afraid to take the steps this club have avoided doing for the past five years. The Swiss is a non-indispensable member of this squad, with two years left on his deal and due to turn 29 later this year. If there comes an opportunity to sell such a player, you take it.

Arsenal: 12 Granit Xhaka transfer replacements for Mikel Arteta in the summer transfer window to partner Thomas Partey

Not doing so has crippled the side and getting a fee for him, whether it be £20m or more, is an invitation to grow. This is a rebuild and there is no better starting point.

For every starting point there needs to be a first step, and that is replacing the midfielder in the side. A task easier said than done. For all his flaws, Xhaka has multiple positive attributes.

Where Mikel Arteta goes from here will be interesting (or frightening). Convincing him to stay in the 2019/20 winter window will have been done with the openness to allow him to leave in this summer, so there has been plenty of time to source his replacement. We hope.

Finding fluidity in the 4-2-3-1, who comes in in his stead could either be a like-for-like option or a different profile to evolve from a goal-shy midfield. There is scope to be more dynamic and progressive carrying the ball as opposed to just distributing it. Whoever comes in doesn’t have to be Xhaka 2.0. Thomas Partey was signed with a plan in mind and that will surely have been thought of for when Xhaka leaves.

Should fans trust those in charge to effectively distribute their finances is another matter. The recruitment at Arsenal over the years has been woeful, so too the handling of contracts, and in such an integral area of the pitch the right acquisition must be made.

Who, though?

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Ibrahim Sangare – PSV Eindhoven

Looking at an option who isn’t cut from the Xhaka cloth, Ibrahim Sangare would constitute and altered approach that could unlock Partey and complement him.

The Ivorian left Toulouse last season following the Ligue 1 club’s relegation from the top-flight, making the switch to PSV Eindhoven and picking up from where he left off.

Not the ilk of progressive passer that Xhaka is, Sangare is the epitome of a midfield destroyer. Compared across the top five European leagues for central midfielders, he sits in the 97th percentile or above for no less than tackles, interceptions, blocks, clearances and aerials won. His defensive statistics are utterly astounding. His tackling numbers are equally mesmeric.

Standing at 6’3″ tall, his frame is both imposing and well structured, but that doesn’t infer a lack of ability on the ball. He sits in the 90th percentile for both dribbles completed and players dribbled past, which is a testament to his press resistance and willingness to drive. He isn’t the most technically gifted, however.

From his defensive role, which sits on the right side of PSV’s system although he operated on the left of central midfield for Toulouse, he makes 0.16 defensive actions per 90 (94th percentile) that lead to a shot. This accounts for both deep tackles that can spring his side into a counter attack as well as winning the ball back high up the pitch to sustain pressure. Arsenal have struggled with that all season.

The issue is at 23 years old and under contract at PSV until 2025, he won’t come cheap, nor are his xG or xA anywhere near enticing. Yet if Arsenal want to build a midfield to frighten opponents and add physicality, he’s their man.