Arsenal: 4 key performances against Tottenham

2. Granit Xhaka Performs Well in the Circumstances – But More is There

He loves this. He thrives off this. He basks in this.

A moment of madness – be it a red card or an especially stupid in-game mistake – tends to always be followed up with a string of solid displays. Then the cycle repeats. Again, and again, and again.

The apex of this never ending circle fortunately came on Sunday afternoon in the North London Derby. Of course. Why not just…be consistent?

Granit Xhaka wasn’t immense on the day, but he was very good, especially for someone who hadn’t kicked a competitive ball since the Manchester City defeat (he didn’t actually kick anything other than people in that game) and contracted COVID-19 during his suspension.

How he adjusted himself physically for a short pass from Ramsdale was very impressive as that crucial intervention set Arsenal on their way to the second goal. He and Thomas Partey controlled the midfield with the Swiss producing a few neat passes out of trouble and through the lines.

There were a few trademark meaty challenges where he was lucky to escape a yellow card (it is a derby), and off the ball it was clear his fitness wasn’t at its best, but it was nonetheless a strong showing from him given the circumstances. He ran himself into the ground.

Arsenal have won and praise needs to be given, even if when it comes from a writer who has been highly critical of Xhaka for years (he still should have been sold).

But, can Arsenal move on from him? Absolutely. We’ve seen what the team can be without him. It’s time to grow, even if it’s unavoidable that two of the best 45 minutes of football played under Arteta have come with Partey and Xhaka in midfield against Tottenham. Now that fun is over, back to Sambi? The injury might force it.

This was a ‘key’ performance in that it was a strong one from Xhaka while still leaving enough room for the Sambi inclusion to remain fresh in the minds. It was very good, this pivot it, but the scope is there to be different, and ultimately, better.

Continued…