Arsenal handed massive Granit Xhaka injury boost

Arsenal have a number of problems to contend with in regards to team structure, chance creation and game management, but one of their issues may be en route to being solved.

Struggling to maintain composure in positive game states has been the Achilles heel of this team, as witnessed in painful fashion in the recent 3-2 defeat against Manchester United.

Going 1-0 up after 12 minutes and having total control of the match, the same level of positivity in and out of possession could have seen the game turn even more in the Gunners’ favour. United were there for the taking and Arsenal let them back into proceedings.

One of the culprits of this worrying trend has been deemed to be the general inexperience within the squad; young players who aren’t familiar with the position and who naturally drop off as opposed to push one.

Arsenal handed massive Granit Xhaka injury boost ahead of Monday’s Premier League clash with Everton at Goodison Park

That has brought Granit Xhaka’s name back into the limelight as he is one of the most experienced members of the squad, and someone who will prop up the younger players in such situations. That’s the theory, anyway.

Well, having suffered a knee injury against Tottenham back on September 26, the initial diagnosis was that the midfielder would be absent up until 2022, the time when he might just be able to return to full training.

Whatever one’s opinion of the Swiss may be, he is a monster. Absolutely demolishing the original absence time, the latest update from the club reveals that he is even in consideration to feature against Everton on Monday night.

"“Granit has made excellent progress in his recovery from a medial knee ligament injury sustained on September 26,” a club statement read. “Granit is now back in full training and his availability is being assessed ahead of Monday’s match.”"

One day it would be a welcome sight to see Arsenal not be as reliant on the Swiss to come back from injury. As much as that day may have already come for some fans, it hasn’t. Seeing Thomas Partey struggled for form and Mohamed Elneny start Premier League matches at Old Trafford strongly indicates that Arsenal still need Xhaka.

Whether or not he’s even starting matches for the club, the upcoming AFCON tournament and hectic winter schedule are enough reason to will him back. This team needs all its components.

Everton could be the start of his return.