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…

How Arteta Could Line Up His Arsenal Team Without Xhaka

Arteta’s options are likely to have Lokonga partner Partey in midfield however depending on the formation and opponent, the Spaniard could go with a midfield three as he did against Burnley. Partey along with Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard was used to good effect even though the home side bossed proceedings in the second half.

Are Maitland-Niles or Elneny options? It does make most of us cringe, but the fact is the pair might have to be. If Partey needs a breather as he regains full fitness then it is likely one or both will be needed.

We have seen what Maitland-Niles can do in midfield and while he is tidy enough, he looks far more comfortable in the right-back position and in truth offers the team far more there as well. But he has stated he wants more midfield minutes and with Xhaka’s injury, he may well get it.

Given the length of the absence, Maitland-Niles could be set for some serious minutes over the next few weeks, something that will please the 24-year-old. He does need to find consistency with his passing, however.

As for Elneny, we know what we are going to get. He is a bit-part player and having him feature regularly is something that needs to be avoided. That is no disrespect to the Egyptian, but he is simply not really up to the level that Arteta requires, hence why he has hardly featured at all so far this season. He wasn’t in the squad against Spurs, for example.

Aside from those two options there is not much more Arteta can do in terms of rotation, and it might have to be that Partey, Smith Rowe, and Odegaard play the majority of game time going forward. A large contingent favours that idea.

The injury to Xhaka has come at the bad time (there is never a good time) and it may force Arteta to shuffle the deck somewhat during games. At least Arsenal does not have any European football to contend with this season otherwise the situation would be rather sticky. And, if we’re being honest, the run of Premier League fixtures he’s missing more favourable than not. Potentially only one top four team as well as Leicester.

When one door closes, another opens and this could be just the chance for players like Maitland-Niles and even young Charlie Patino need to stamp their position on the club.