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The summer of 2021 is set to go down as one of the biggest clear-outs in Arsenal’s history. Up to ten players could be heading for the exit door, as Mikel Arteta & Edu look to reshape the very foundations of the club.
Several senior players will be leaving, while exciting new additions have been promised to the masses. One of the biggest exits will be that of midfield general, Granit Xhaka.
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As of writing, Roma have agreed an €18m fee with Arsenal while offering the 28-year-old a 5-year contract. It’s reported that Xhaka himself is keen on the move and is looking forward to working with Jose Mourinho in Italy. Arsenal have not done much to stand in his way and this could be a decision they live to regret.
Here are 5 reasons why Arsenal should not sell Granit Xhaka:
#5 Leader of Men
Every team needs players who are willing to follow the manager off a cliff. Whatever the boss wants, they’re ready to carry it out to the best of their ability. Granit Xhaka is one of those guys. Under Arteta, the Swissman has played at CM, LCB & LB with no complaints. He’s a soldier who would go to war for the manager and is often seen relaying Arteta’s instructions to the players on the pitch.
In all the great Arsenal teams of the past, there have been on-field leaders. Leaders that would even sometimes go against the tactics of the manager for the sake of the team. Their role is to galvanize the troops when the chips are down. Whether you rate his football ability or not, Granit Xhaka was a leader in the Arsenal dressing room and his presence will be sorely missed.
#4 Progressive Passer
Contrary to popular belief, Granit Xhaka is one of the most progressive passers of the ball in the league. Arsenal fans have somehow fooled themselves into believing the Swiss international is only capable of passing sideways or backwards to his keeper. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Last season, the 28-year-old attempted 6.6 progressive passes per game, ranking him in the top 8% of midfielders in world football.
There’s a reason why this polarizing figure has been the centerpiece of three different managers’ build-up play. His courage to attempt these balls allows for a quicker transition from defense to attack, giving the forwards more time and space to operate in. With him gone, the only player capable of doing this is Thomas Partey. That means if the Ghanaian is targeted and marked tightly, Arsenal will have no other outlet from midfield to attack.
#3 Won’t Be Replaced
Over the years, the incompetence of the club’s recruitment has come to light. Not only have notable players been allowed to leave, but they have also not been adequately replaced. Robin van Persie was replaced by Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski, a decision that saw the Gunners decline in conversion rates. More recently, Alexis Sanchez’s devastating displays from the left have not been reciprocated by any winger in recent seasons.
Arsenal would be foolish not to learn from past mistakes, as it’s those mistakes that have led to them not playing Champions League football for five years. Granit Xhaka may not be a world-class midfielder, but for a club of Arsenal’s current standing, he may be the best they can get and I personally don’t trust Edu & co. to fill his void with anything better. As it stands, Arsenal’s midfield options going into the new season are Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny…
#2 Most Consistent Performer
Last season, Arsenal finished 8th for the second consecutive campaign. Throughout that season, many of the club’s big-hitters failed to deliver, leaving Mikel Arteta scratching his head. However, one player that didn’t let his manager down was Granit Xhaka. Despite the marquee signing of Thomas Partey, the Swiss international was still Arsenal’s best midfielder last season.
In the midst of a capsizing ship, the 28-year-old maintained a composed 90.2% pass accuracy, equating to 2188 passes. Regardless of how others were performing around him, Xhaka’s level never dropped for a second and that’s why he was the first name on the team sheet each week.
#1 Durability
Nicknamed as Arsenal’s Iron Man, there’s no player around more durable than Granit Xhaka. Since arriving at the Emirates in 2016, the 28-year-old has only missed 19 games through injury. For context, Kieran Tierney has missed 29 games in the last two seasons alone. It’s one thing to have a squad of players, it’s another to have them readily available to play once or twice a week at full speed.
Xhaka’s constant availability has provided consistency and stability for Mikel Arteta as he continues to lay the foundations for his philosophy at the club. With the squad’s midfield options already limited, if any injury crisis were to hit the squad, expect Xhaka’s presence to be missed even more.
