Arsenal: 3 reasons Granit Xhaka should be sold

Granit Xhaka leaving Arsenal has been an eventuality that countless supporters have been yearning for well before the current summer transfer window. Now it’s edging closer to a reality with Roma and Bundesliga clubs keen, some doubts have crept in.

When the Switzerland international kindly requested that the Emirates Stadium crowd ‘f**k off’ in the Premier League in October 2019, those backing Xhaka slowly began edging away from their previous assessment. There were still plenty who felt his reaction was warranted given the abuse from live fans and the social media cretins who crossed the line so far they couldn’t even see it, but in any case it wasn’t a good look.

Mikel Arteta convinced the midfielder to stay upon taking the reins and the result has been the best season he’s had to date in red and white in 2020/21.

Still far from perfect, he demonstrated his importance to the team with his absence constituting a considerable drop off in stability and control in performances. Even the attributes that have been the basis of the criticism he’s faced since his £35m move have been less prevalent.

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Arsenal: 3 reasons Granit Xhaka should be sold in the summer transfer window

Xhaka still remains slow covering ground, this much can never be improved on. What he has done is calmed his temper since the Burnley defeat at home, improved his economy of touches and resisted the temptation to find Row Z as frequently. He’s been a solid performer.

Yet with the summer window approaching its opening date, Roma are pushing hard to bring the 28-year-old to Serie A with Jose Mourinho keen to make him his first signing as manager.

The amount of work that needs doing this window is unprecedented, with all areas of the pitch being looked at for reinforcements, just as all the same areas are set for departures.

Central midfield was already a priority and the sale of Xhaka opens up and entirely different conversation given his specialised skillset and leadership role within the group. Replacing him rises to the top of the to-do list.

Should Arsenal sanction his sale? He is under contract and the task(s) at hand become larger if allowed to leave. However, now is the time. Here are three reasons for Arsenal selling Xhaka.

1. The Rebuild

Where do the boundaries of a rebuild stretch to? Yes, the meaning of the word is clear, but are there certain parameters in which some individuals don’t fall into?

There are. Xhaka is not one of them.

Who and what Arsenal are has been muddled. The identity of the club lost, the eye test of the team on the pitch failing and in need of refocusing.

It’s becoming clearer to see what Arteta is doing, what Arteta has and what Arteta wants. What he is doing is crafting a side around the glorious young core at his disposal. Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe, backed by Kieran Tierney, Gabriel and William Saliba, added to by Thomas Partey and, in more recent weeks it appears, Nicolas Pepe.

What he has is the future of the club. Partey and Gabriel he bought, the rest he inherited. It doesn’t require a tactical genius to envisage where the club should be focusing their attentions but it does require a level of managerial acumen to take the next step. What he has is his pizza base in need of toppings. The right accompaniments. Crap analogy.

Xhaka is a non-indispensable member of this squad. While not someone readily replaced, where Arsenal are trying to go is on a path that is no longer for him. Arsenal have to change the entire outlook of this squad and take the leap of faith. You don’t rebuild by keeping the same foundations in place that have contributed to the decline that’s forced these actions.

The midfielder is not the reason Arsenal haven’t secured top four since he arrived but he is part of the reason Arsenal are where they are. As part of a failed process, forging a new path means laying new stone. This is the right step.

2. A New Midfield Dynamic

Where does the squad go from here? Having centred in on his 4-2-3-1 setup midway through the season, there finally appears to be some semblance of continuity from Arteta. The manager has gone for a variety of tactical approaches and systems – even if he regularly shuns their importance – thus the logical step would be to find a like-for-like replacement in the side.

Well, has he already? Partey’s £45m signing could have been the Xhaka replacement 12 months in advance. He boasts many of the same qualities in terms of defensive discipline and distribution, with the added bonus of greater athleticism, ball carrying ability and speed across the ground.

Therefore, selling Xhaka works in a squad building perspective as it allows Arteta to seek a different profile in central midfield. Ideally, one with some more creative and attacking qualities.

Everyone knew what they were getting with Xhaka, just as they knew what they were being starved of. Him being shifted opens the door for a faster, more dynamic midfield partner with an eye for goal, just as it can also invite an Yves Bissouma to come to north London and open up Partey to play more advanced if desired.

Arteta has always admired 4-3-3 and in every which way, Xhaka can’t fit into that system. He isn’t mobile enough to be a single pivot and you’d rather have a one-legged Dani Ceballos playing the left sided No. 8 role. That now can be worked towards.

Partey can offer what Xhaka has and whoever comes in can provide the more adventurous touches. Equally, the Swiss can be upgraded with a double pivot of physically imposing destroyers who can cover ground quickly. A new dynamic awaits.

3. Selling Granit Xhaka is Realistic in This Market

Roma were said to be keen on wrapping a deal up for £10m plus bonuses. They know what to do with that offer.

However, this isn’t a situation where Arsenal can be demanding £35m. Comparing what other players in similar positions will or have sold for isn’t going to get anyone anywhere. Being totally realistic, £20m for Xhaka is an offer to accept.

Is that undercutting his value? He is a solid midfielder with many limitations and by no means top of the range in his position; he’s 28 going on 29 years old and has two years left on his deal; he’s looking to be sold in a market suffering heavily from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, where clubs finances have been shot across the continent.

If he goes for £20m then you can frame it in another way: have Arsenal got £15m worth out of his five seasons and 220 games? Not the framework to operate in but a differing perspective.

Yes, if more than £20m can be squeezed out then it needs to be taken. Interest from across Europe will help jump up his value, but with the European Championships approaching, the sooner a deal is wrapped up, the better.

Furthermore, most supporters will have wanted a new central midfielder brought in this summer. There is no way in hell that Xhaka would suffice with a squad role. None at all. In order to take the next step for this team upgrades need to be made across the pitch and with Partey’s spot in the team assured it’s Xhaka who can be improved upon.

Thus, selling him and reinvesting the £20m (or whatever it may be) on another target is an opportunity not to be missed out on. It’s now on the club to spend it well.