Arsenal midfield options after Granit Xhaka injury

Still basking in the glow of a superb North London Derby win, some of the shine has come off the victory with the injury to Swiss international Granit Xhaka, who was forced off for Arsenal after 82 minutes.

After a Thomas Partey tackle, Spurs midfielder Lucas Moura inadvertently fell over into Xhaka with his knee bending unnaturally, which occurred in the build-up to Spurs’ consolation goal.

The injury now leaves the Gunners seriously short of options in midfield with only Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Mohamed Elneny as the back-ups. Albert Sambi Lokonga will most likely take Xhaka’s spot in the team depending on whether the 4-2-3-1 shape remains.

Mikel Arteta spoke post-game and wasn’t overly optimistic:

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta forced into midfield rethink after news emerges of Granit Xhaka missing around two months with knee ligament injury

"“Unfortunately he got an injury and I’m pretty worried because it doesn’t look very positive at the moment,” he said."

While more tests are to come before Arsenal officially reveal the length of absence, early indications are not great. Or, they are, depending on whether it’s a bullet dodged or one taken.

Reports out of Switzerland now put his length of absence at 6-8 weeks following a ruptured inner ligament in his right knee. The silver lining being that it is not a cruciate ligament tear.

It certainly throws a spanner in the works moving forward for Arteta. Against Spurs give credit where it is due, Xhaka was very good alongside Partey and played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s second goal as he shielded the ball from Pierre-Emile Højbjerg after an under-hit pass from Aaron Ramsdale.

With Xhaka now out for up to eight or so matches, which would have been more were it not for the international break, Arteta’s options are more limited in what he can do and fingers are firmly crossed another injury doesn’t happen. It would be just Arsenal’s luck, and he know who would be the one to get crocked.

Finally starting to gain some positive momentum and producing good performances only for the football gods to say ‘that’s enough, Arsenal’ and hit the club with injuries, while this is a glass half-empty take, injuries seem to follow Arsenal Football Club more than others.

So, what are the options?

Continued…