Sometimes it takes losing something to realise how much you miss it.
I must admit, I wasn’t so sure about Granit Xhaka. Rash decisions and mistakes. Lack of pace and abiility to defend on transition. I would’ve been forgiven for thinking that a move to Roma was beneficial for both parties.
But my goodness would it be nice to have him back. Leadership, maturity and braveness is sorely lacked. Exactly what Xhaka has in abundance.
Admittedly Xhaka is not the long term answer. Age and his ceiling go against him. But until a key replacement is found he will forever be missed as long as his rehabilitation continues.
Arsenal once again found themselves getting pinned back into their own half against Manchester United. Particularly after we scored our first goal; and again in the second half. We can count this happening frequently over the course of the season.
Not for a lack of technical quality and ability to build play, but a lack of leadership, confidence and nerve to dominate proceedings and stay on the front foot.
It is natural for the opposition to fire up after conceding and put the pressure on. It is no coincidence that this season it is at the moment after we score that we struggle to assert ourselves on the ball.
For all of Partey’s skill and guile, he misses the calming influence of Granit Xhaka to slow the game down, ensure we have controlled possession and most importantly don’t have to absorb wave after wave of pressure.
Of course, our lack of hold up play front is also killing us in the sense. But that is a tune for another day.
Sambi Lokonga, Maitland-Niles, Smith Rowe and Odegaard are all young. They will learn these skills over the coming months and yeas and develop this mentality.
But until they do, or we sign a ready made replacement, I am itching for Granit to make his comeback. Our fluidity will improve greatly and the control will come back.
Imagine the damage the likes of ESR, Saka, Martinelli and Odegaard can do if we start controlling 90 minutes of a match rather than 30-40 mins. 45% possession turns to 65% possession. High quality chances increase; more goals are scored; and Ramsdale is required less and less to save our backs.
Wouldn’t it be nice.
It’s coming. Time to hop aboard the Arteta train and hope that Xhaka comes back in January with a point to prove.
This team deserves it.
Something special is brewing.
