Xhaka and Partey crucial for Arsenal’s Champions League push

It is certainly up for grabs now! Despite being limited to a ringside seat due to Chelsea’s participation in the FIFA Club World Cup, Arsenal could hardly have hoped for better in the Premier League last weekend as a number of their fiercest competitors dropped valuable points in the race for Europe.

The glee fostered by recent results followed a crucial midweek win against Wolves, where dramatic scenes at both ends of the pitch late on demonstrated the fine margins that may decide our fate in May.

However, while concerns remain regarding the club’s short-term striker situation, our chances of sustaining a Champions League push are perhaps more dependent on the continued availability of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey.

Somewhat misconstrued amid the protracted stand-off between Mikel Arteta and the typically-prolific Aubameyang, the Gunners’ goal-scoring woes this calendar year strongly correlate with the absence of their central duo for much of January.

Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey must stay fit if Arsenal are to return the Champions League this season

Owing to a combination of injuries, suspensions, and AFCON duties, Xhaka and Partey had started just seven games together this season prior to the trip to Molineux. During that period we found the net 19 times (albeit against some depleted opposition) and conceded six, as well as producing arguably our best performances of the campaign, such as in the north London derby and the narrow loss to Manchester City on New Year’s Day.

Aside from statistics, their influence on this Arsenal side is perhaps even more pronounced in the heat of battle. Here, Xhaka assumes his usual role as the tempo-setter, frequently dropping into the half space to coordinate build-up play and facilitating transitions with his impressive passing range, while the Ghanaian uses excellent positional awareness to protect the defence and can retain possession under pressure to help us sustain attacking phases.

Not only do their complementary styles enhance the team both up front and in a defensive sense, but the collective quality also suffers to an almost irredeemable degree when we are forced to do without one or bot h- which has often been the case – as there are currently no suitable reinforcements to compensate for them, while Lokonga still needs to develop before getting a starting berth.

Alternatives for the pairing will have to be sounded out in the summer if we make a return to the continental stage next season, with cover needed for Partey and a more athletic option required to challenge the Swiss international, whose impetuosity now seems to be spreading through the squad judging by their latest red card shenanigans.

But with just 16 games left on the schedule, they will hopefully avoid any further injury or controversy and get an all-too-rare run in the team together

For the moment, they are essential to the work Arteta is doing and will have a big say in how this Premier League campaign ends.