Jedi wrote:Angelito wrote:Santi wrote:So turns out we need this c*** ? Ffs
There's a stat going around that he's started 85% of the league games for us since he joined. That's the most any Arsenal player has played in that time-frame. We've finished 6th, 5th, 8th, and 8th since he's been Arsenal's main man.
It's a myth that we're useless without him. We've never had a sustained period without Xhaka. It doesn't help that we haven't had great managers in the same period either.
Arsenal is simply an inconsistent team with managers who're lucky to be here. It's not surprising that we're looking like the same top-8 side even after spending £150m this summer.
Leicester and Spurs look awful this season, so by default, we have a legit chance to finish in EL places.
We've gone from Cesc and Ozil as our talismanic players to f'kin Granit Xhaka. Ridiculous.
Pointing out our league position while Xhaka's been here is about as productive as saying Ramsdale is bad because he suffered back to back relegations with two different teams.
I don't think anyone claims we can't live without Xhaka or that he would slot in the Invincibles first 11 or something.
As the resident Xhaka defender here, all I'm saying is that he's better than the alternatives in his position, and that there are worse performers in other positions.
Where did I state that he's the sole reason behind our poor performances since he became an undisputed starter?
The facts present itself here. To re-write what I mentioned:
- Xhaka has started 85% of our league games since he signed;
- We've finished 6th, 5th, and 8th twice since he's been the #1 starter here;
- Arsenal have been very inconsistent in that time-frame;
- We haven't had great managers in the same period.
It's a combination of factors. What doesn't help Xhaka is that he's been the face of Arsenal during this period. He starts almost every game in the League. He's not a great player. He has major flaws in his game. He's cost us many points due to his recklessness and physical flaws.
This hasn't been helped by our choice of managers when he's been here.
As for not having better alternatives, that's down to the lack of forethought attributed by Edu and Arteta. Arsenal have spent £225m since Arteta's been here. Not acquiring a well-rounded CM—when that has been a major issue—is down to them. We had a chance to get rid of Xhaka this summer. Roma were willing to buy him. We turned them down and instead offered him an extension and a pay-rise.
He's also not better than players in other positions. In fact, he's our weakest link. He just happens to be the only DLP we have. That's down to this current pair of experts we have.
When a player has been a regular for nearly 5 seasons now; when that said player is lopsided in his elements; when that player is prone to errors and recklessness, it's problematic to find weight in your reasoning.
Xhaka is a good player for a mid-table side. As Liverpool and Spurs have experienced before, there are some players who drag the team down regardless of quality in other positions. They build a glass ceiling. That's Xhaka at Arsenal.
Of course, having a managerial version of Xhaka in the stands makes it far worse.
