Arsenal: 3 vital Granit Xhaka traits to replace

It’s been brewing for quite some time. All signs pointed towards this being done and dusted in time for the European Championships to start, such was the desire from all sides, only for Arsenal to dig their heels in over their asking price.

Rightly so. With Roma leading the chase and Granit Xhaka making it clear his heart was set on a Jose Mourinho link-up, Arsenal refused to budge on their €20m asking price.

That is already a bargain fee, one re-shaped by the state of the market, so for the Serie A side to haggle down from that regardless of their current predicament has been laughed off.

Even with the game of chicken from either side, Xhaka’s days at Arsenal are over. They always were going to be. Work is underway to source his replacement, whatever profile that may be, and Arsenal can step up their recruitment with the anticipation of their first permanent sale of the summer.

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Arsenal: 3 vital Granit Xhaka traits in need of replacing as midfielder closes in on Roma move in summer transfer window

As reported by Angelo Mangiante of Sky Italia, the deal is almost complete and the Swiss captain will join up with his new teammates for their pre-season training camp in Portugal next week. Football.london add that Roma have caved in to the Gunners’ demands and will meet the £17m+ valuation.

We can soon all get on with our lives.

It can be said with next to no disagreement that whoever comes in to fill Xhaka’s boots will define the window. Naturally, sales are essential and trimming down the rather bloated squad has its own importance, but finding Thomas Partey the partner to re-imagine this Arsenal side is make or break.

That person could come in different forms. It could be an Yves Bissouma master-of-tackles and breaker-of-chains type, or the Ruben Neves tempo setting variety who eyes progression over disruption.

Xhaka’s direct replacement may need to be something specific, but his role within the squad has to be covered too. There are three key traits of Xhaka’s that need refilling, in one way or another.

Continued…

1. Granit Xhaka’s Leadership

This is a vital element.

It’s regularly noted how all the managers Xhaka has played under at Arsenal have chosen him in their sides, but that isn’t solely down to his ability.

What Xhaka is and what he represents are among the numerous areas that have caused a divide among the supporters. As a footballer and his ability the disagreements are as strong as the character he exudes.

Unarguable is his leadership qualities. The loudest player on the pitch during matchdays, while fans can’t see what goes on behind the scenes the fact he was voted as a captain by the players during Unai Emery’s tenure tells us all we need to know.

While some may not appreciate his style of leadership or question his accountability when times are tough, none of that alters that his vocality in and around the club is crucial.

Is it time for a new voice? Most likely. With a new squad being forged, fronted by a brilliant young core, a change of direction and culture is in order.

Who takes his place in the squad doesn’t have to be the man to provide it as it can arrive elsewhere, whether from another new signing or via the emergence of a new figurehead. Kieran Tierney’s inevitable path to the captaincy once Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang departs is clear and his role in the ‘leadership group’ is being given an unofficial promotion, yet he is labelled as a shy character and will grow into his role.

That voice and authority has to be unearthed or acquired even if it won’t be readily restored.

2. Granit Xhaka’s Stability in Midfield

It is time to move on from Xhaka. His most staunch critics have been saying so for a number of years. They’re not inexplicably wrong.

That doesn’t mean Xhaka doesn’t offer Arsenal anything. Far from it. In the second half of last season he was the best player at the club behind the effervescent duo. Following that red card against Burnley he turned up and had the best six months of his career in north London.

Yet when Arsenal were without him they crumbled. Disintegrated into a boneless body; a mess.

Such stability is an unavoidable trait even for those who have the champagne at the ready. Having the Swiss in the pivot with Partey adds a composure and a clarity of thought. That is abandoned once he departs. There is no structure, control or guidance.

Far from the best Arsenal can be, the disjointed muddle they can slip into without Xhaka’s presence is less a heralding of him and more a damning indictment of the ceiling of this team.

Which is why who comes in has to be able to impose himself from the get-go. An instant fit who reinforces the spine, adds what his predecessor brought to the party with dashes of improvement in other areas and their own skillset.

Energy, dynamism and a commanding figure who complements Partey and offers the bridge between defence and attack, nothing reminiscent of an Emery-esque chasm of emptiness begging for a simple transition.

Easy, right? Most definitely not. It’s a darn hard checklist that won’t be filled out.

Stability, however, has to be.

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.