Arsenal: 3 vital Granit Xhaka traits to replace

3. Granit Xhaka’s Ball Progression

Ball progression comes in two forms: carrying and passing. No player played more progressive passes in total (Fbref), or per 90 minutes for Arsenal last season than Xhaka. Everyone knows this. He also averaged 5.68 progressive carries per 90.

But it’s not so much about whether someone brings progression or not, it’s how they do it. What purpose does it serve? Is it effective?

Arsenal were a painfully blunt attacking force last season, not scoring anywhere near enough goals to be challenging for anything, let alone trophies.

Progressing the ball is what creates scoring opportunities and ultimately goals. Sideways gets you nowhere, which is why Xhaka’s 9.57 passes into the final third (2.57 more than Dani Ceballos in second place) are so important.

Yet Arsenal still didn’t score enough goals. That distribution didn’t have the desired impact. And while that is not all Xhaka’s fault, if those passes are to someone on the touchline they will not be as penetrative. Context is needed.

To move Arsenal up the pitch and take them from deep areas into higher zones, Xhaka is imperative. However, a change of personnel in that department who can progress with a different intent – a more attacking mindset – could help reinvent the midfield.

As the connective piece to bridge the gap from defence to attack Xhaka has real value, but if someone could progress via a combination of passing and carrying, and ensure the progression is into more dangerous areas, it would constitute the upgrade that so many desire.

Add pace into that area, be it through quick feet or more press resistance, and Arsenal can recycle with greater purpose. Then the progression whoever comes in can offer may be used to more devastating effect.