Arsenal: 3 risks with modified 4-3-3 system

3. Granit Xhaka’s Obvious Physical Limitations

Of course. It’s the most notable change of the entire tactical setup, one that by all accounts is least suited to Xhaka. Yet it’s working. Very well, too.

Against Wolves there were a couple of moments where the visitors exploited Xhaka’s well discussed physical limitations. Sometimes he looks like he’s running with cement in his boots, and in having a player of that mobility higher up the pitch you’re playing with fire.

But Arsenal’s shape with and without the ball is excellent. The least mobile player in the entire team is playing in position where agility and a degree of technical craft are highly desirable without it being costly.

However, the risk is always there.

Xhaka may have an unreal engine and never leave anything out on the pitch, but he is slow and teams will look to target the spaces he vacates more and more moving forward. Wolves did so with Daniel Podence cleverly dropping into those areas, particularly in the first half, and Arsenal had to rejig their system slightly.

It’s a credit to the coaching staff and players that this has new role for Xhaka has brought about almost solely positive points at this stage given how remarkably untailored he is to the position, but there is always that additional risk involved.