Arsenal: 12 Granit Xhaka transfer replacements

Yves Bissouma – Brighton

The primary argument against Arsenal signing Yves Bissouma is that he is too similar to Thomas Partey.

He isn’t. If anything, Partey was signed as an upgrade on Xhaka, with Bissouma arriving being the player who can cover more ground defensively and free the Ghanaian to be more box-to-box.

Brighton’s Malian midfielder is the man to complement Partey, not mimic him. The dynamic created with Xhaka has been one of angles and balance, with him and Partey working on a diagonal at times during matches. They provide a passing option for one another to ensure any press can be evaded, with a good example of that being Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goal against Burnley (not the own goal).

What Arsenal fail to do is sustain pressure. Attacks break down for a number of reasons, but retaining the ball in the final third is key among it. With a pivot of Bissouma and Partey, two excellent sweepers in counter-attacks and in duels, there becomes a platform to pin sides back.

Of course, it’s impossible to mention Bissouma without listing his otherworldly defensive statistics. No midfielder in the Premier League made more tackles than his 104, while he also ranks fourth in the division last season for interceptions. He presses the ball with intent and speed – the latter about his pace being a weirdly underrated trait of his – and upon breaking the press has the technique to burst out of defence and feed forward players.

He knows his role isn’t in the final third and it doesn’t bother him. Breaking up play, winning the ball back and moving possession on to those with attacking threat (best mate Nicolas Pepe would help there) is his forte.

It’s a partnership that would frighten, destroy and solidify, while also opening Partey to play slightly more advanced on the right as, despite being right-footed, Bissouma is totally at ease on the left.