Are Arsenal ready to move on from Granit Xhaka yet?

Key Performance Issue Strengthens Case for Granit Xhaka Return

Many have now seen the light, one that the vast majority had been left to daydream over since one of the few certainties in life is that, if fit, Xhaka will play for Arsenal.

This is a good spell. It’s more than a good spell: it’s a hugely encouraging and progressive spell offering an indication of where Arsenal can go; the team is bursting with youth and the energy and pressing is a welcome byproduct.

So, is there anything that might be keeping the idea of Xhaka in the midfield in the manager’s eye? Well, yes.

In terms of what Xhaka brings to the table aside from experience and leadership over, say, Sambi, is what will have been playing in Arteta’s mind over the past few performances. Against Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Leicester it’s been the periods after Arsenal have taken two-goal leads that will, rightly, be slightly concerning to the boss.

While it’s expected that being two or three goals up will prompt a less adventurous approach from a young side and spark a push from those trailing, the depth with which Arsenal’s lines sink sees them lose grip and control.

As a dominating figure in the heart of midfield, someone to bark and break up, that level of control and tempo will still be seen as a hole Xhaka could help plug. That’s certainly the way the manager may see it.

However, Sambi’s displays are ever improving and the patches of dominance that Leicester had last time out will go down as key learning curves for this young team. Developing individually as well as a group, the time between now and Xhaka returning can see those gaps in display incrementally developed.

The discussion is already being had five games on from his absence. And it’s an argument with results and performances to back it up.

Arsenal are ready to move on from Xhaka, even if it may take a few more weeks to offer a clearer picture. He will be needed urgently during AFCON, no doubt, but if this run hasn’t indicated what can be, the coming run definitely will. The fans are happy, the team looks happy, and the table is less unsightly to gaze at. Long may it continue.