Is it time to sell Granit Xhaka?
Is it time to sell Granit Xhaka? How Arteta should respond to interest from Roma
By Jonathan Bray
How do you solve a problem like Granit Xhaka?
At points during his Arsenal career, the Swiss defensive midfielder looked like the answer to the questions that had plagued Arsenal’s midfield since the departure of Patrick Vieira in 2005.
However, that’s always been the problem with the 28-year-old, there are too many question marks surrounding him.
He is clearly passionate, aggressive and offers something different to the other midfield options in Mikel Arteta’s squad.
Sadly, these traits seem almost inseparable from his tendency to be too rash, too casual on the ball and too reactive.
But in a team where he’s expected to provide cover for what is, by the standards of Arsenal Football Club, a weak defensive set-up, is this a surprise?
Why Arsenal should keep him.
First things first, much of the criticism of Xhaka is totally unjustified.
Like any other player, he has strengths and weaknesses, but unlike some players he clearly never takes being a professional footballer for granted.
His tackle success rate is a solid 64%, compared to N’Golo Kante’s 63%, whilst his ratio of duels won and lost is also better than the Frenchman’s.
He’s blocked only three less shots in 161 Premier League appearances than Kante’s total of 49 in 194 appearances, another indication that, if nothing else, Xhaka is working hard and putting in the sort of effort levels Arsenal fans want to see from their players.
During an era of rebuilding at the club, it’s important not to dismiss the importance of having these sorts of characters in and around the squad.
In attack, he has one of the best left feet in the Premier League, with all nine of his league goals for Arsenal having been scored with his left.
He’s also only missed one big chance in the league compared to Kante’s surprisingly high total of eight.
Xhaka may not be perfect, but he’s also not really been put in a position to succeed.
That’s probably why, despite heavy criticism from pundits and fans alike, he’s been selected consistently by every manager he’s played under.
Why it’s time to let him go.
Despite his strengths, the brownie points that come with working hard, not pulling out of challenges and providing a few memorable goals to boot, it’s still clear Xhaka may not be the answer to Arsenal’s problems.
There are many reasons for this, some of which aren’t related to his footballing ability.
Firstly, there’s his poor relationship with the fans in the wake of his reaction after being booed off the pitch in a Premier League game against Crystal Palace in 2019.
He undoubtedly let himself down with his reaction, but it probably wasn’t the Arsenal fan base’s finest moment either.
Of course, that was nearly two years ago, but any fan reaction to a decision to sell Xhaka will manipulated by that evening at The Emirates.
As a player, he carries a chaotic energy with him, like a David Luiz or a Kepa Arrizabalaga.
These tags are not always fair, something Olivier Giroud has taught English football over the last decade, but you can feel this energy whenever he’s on the ball in Arsenal’s defensive half.
In the Premier League, he has made nine errors leading to goals and has been shown three red cards.
In contrast, Kante has never been shown a red card and has made two errors leading to goals despite playing 33 more games.
That is what Arsenal need now more than ever, a defensive midfielder they can rely on.
Who would Arsenal replace him with?
Some may think it’s unfair to compare Xhaka with Kante, but this is the standard of player Arsenal will need in that role if they’re to challenge Europe’s best sides moving forward.
That is why Arsenal should sell him this summer while the Gunners can still get a return on their investment.
It’s clear that Brighton’s Yves Bissouma is a target for Arsenal.
Whilst he is the favourite to replace Xhaka if the Swiss superstar departs, there are some exciting alternatives.
Declan Rice has been a target for Chelsea for at least two years now, but if Arsenal are able to convince him of the benefits of guaranteed first-team football, it is possible that he could be tempted to join the Gunners.
Ruben Neves also provides an option in the market and is deceptively young at the age of 24.
However, he’s valued highly by Wolves, and is a target for many other top clubs.
No matter who Arsenal sign, replacing Xhaka could be one of the biggest decisions the club make in their efforts to rebuild a squad that’s low on confidence after a poor season in the league.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
