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Granit Xhaka, the LPGA, and the Perfect Soufflé: Arsenal’s Unanswered Problem

In a city of just over 220,000 people, the Canadian Women’s Open tested the Saskatchewan waters – or in this case, plains – for the first time. It proved that the height of women’s golf can succeed in a province that has only produced just one notable female golfer, but it also the tournament needs a place devoid of larger sporting competition in order to thrive. Like the perfect soufflé, it required the perfect conditions to rise, and even the slightest of can deflate it in an instant.

To draw the comparison to Arsenal, Saturday’s win over West Ham showed once again the value Granit Xhaka brings to the pitch, but it also clearly demonstrated the conditions he needs to work in to be effective.

Finding the Perfect Conditions for Granit Xhaka

According to Scott Willis’ Offensive Value Added, Granit Xhaka contributed the fifth most going forward of any player in the match, and Aaron Ramsey was the only midfielder who offered more for Arsenal. Using Willis’ Passing Valued added, Xhaka was the second most valuable distributor, just trailing Hector Bellerin.

Bellerin, who has been a particularly strong crosser of the ball this season, has benefitted from an attack that relies heavily on cutbacks from the right flank. For his part, Xhaka has benefited from Arsenal’s spells of possession.

Granit Xhaka all passes against West Ham, Aug 25, 1018 (Statszone)
Granit Xhaka all passes against West Ham, Aug 25, 1018 (Statszone)

 

Xhaka is a key part of the Gunners attack, and more specifically their ability to dictate play as seen by his team-high .63 xGBuildup per 90 minutes last season.

Granit Xhaka second half completed forward passes against West Ham, Aug 25, 1018 (Statszone)
Granit Xhaka second half completed forward passes against West Ham, Aug 25, 1018 (Statszone)

 

In the first half against West Ham Xhaka completed 22 forward passes, but just four in the attacking third. In the second half, Xhaka completed 20 passes of which nine were in the attacking third and one into the penalty area.

Granit Xhaka first half completed forward passes against West Ham, Aug 25, 1018 (Statszone)
Granit Xhaka first half completed forward passes against West Ham, Aug 25, 1018 (Statszone)

As Arsenal began to take control of the play, Xhaka was allowed to distribute the ball to more dangerous areas, and to Arsenal’s more dangerous forwards. His most common passing combination was Xhaka to Nacho Monreal (11), but that was closely followed by Xhaka to Ramsey. Of the ten passes Xhaka sent Ramsey’s way, seven came in the second half.

Granit Xhaka Giveth, and Xhaka Taketh

Conversely, when Xhaka left the pitch after the first half against Chelsea, the Gunners went from being level on passing terms with the other London club to getting dominated 108-32 in the attacking third. They were outshot 15-3 in the second half and ultimately succumbed to the Blues pressure.

When Arsenal are firmly in possession of the ball Xhaka quickly becomes one of the Gunners more dangerous distributors, but take that away and Xhaka quickly becomes a liability. His poor reactions, lack of agility and penchant to throw himself into reckless tackles are directly responsible for a decent portion of the Gunners struggles in midfield.

In that lies the problem: without Granit Xhaka the Gunners attack lacks the ability to transition the ball from middle third to the attacking third; with him, it opens up the team to quick counters.

One potential solution is to start the trio of Matteo Guendouzi, Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira.

Emery has shown a clear desire to use a pivot in the midfield, and Xhaka’s repeated starts and captain’s armband show that the new manager is clearly fond of the Swiss midfielder, but if Xhaka is to be a stalwart of the Arsenal midfield, it may be time to move away from a pivot and shift to an inverted pyramid with Torreira at its base.

Between Guendouzi and Torreira the Gunners have two solid ball retrievers and tacklers. They also have an engine in the young 19-year-old, who has already shown some aptitude for creative passes. Alongside Granit Xhaka, the duo could be an incisive force – the question becomes are the Gunners willing to sacrifice width, and one of the star players to try and find a solution to the Xhaka conundrum?

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