Granit Xhaka

[22-0]

How many red cards and pens will he give away tho season tho.

[theHotHead]

Simply put, Xhaka is not suited to the pace and physicality of the Premier league. There is no scenario where I see him flourishing here.

Looks great for Switzerland and would probably look good in La Liga/Serie A, but his lack of pace is a major issue. Fabregas wasn't quick but had lightening speed of thought so wouldn't get caught out dwelling on the ball.

[Arsenal Tone]

Simply put, Xhaka is not suited to the pace and physicality of the Premier league. There is no scenario where I see him flourishing here.

Looks great for Switzerland and would probably look good in La Liga/Serie A, but his lack of pace is a major issue. Fabregas wasn't quick but had lightening speed of thought so wouldn't get caught out dwelling on the ball.

I got shit on here in 2016 for saying Xhaka is a CM not a DM...

[Zenith]

He’s selected because he can play out of the back. Before him we had a double pivot of Cazorla and Arteta and it worked fine. Neither were genuine ball winners but their acumen and technical skills made them effective at transitioning us from defense to attack. We got Xhaka to serve as a successor to Arteta. To be the last man in the midfield shielding the back four and playing forward balls. Like a modern day Pirlo or Xabi Alonso. But Xhaka lacks the positioning ability of those greats or even Arteta for that matter. So we started pairing him up with other midfielders. And it never worked. Unfortunately we’ve just not found that deep lying midfielder who can shield the defense while play forward balls. Meanwhile City and Liverpool have found players like Fernandinho, gundogan and Fabinho and have prospered as a result.

That's interesting, seeing that Arteta and Cazorla played in a double pivot only once; in our UCL group stage defeat to Dinamo Zagreb. This particular game aside, Arteta and Cazorla never played together in a midfield pivot.

https://www.transfermarkt.com/gnk-dinam ... ht/2618545

When Cazorla had moved to a deeper role by 2015/16, he predominantly played alongside Coquelin. (Or Flamini albeit to a less frequent extent.) By that time Arteta had become a fringe player who'd barely feature in any playing capacity, and he elected to retire at the end of that same season.

[theHotHead]

Simply put, Xhaka is not suited to the pace and physicality of the Premier league. There is no scenario where I see him flourishing here.

Looks great for Switzerland and would probably look good in La Liga/Serie A, but his lack of pace is a major issue. Fabregas wasn't quick but had lightening speed of thought so wouldn't get caught out dwelling on the ball.

I got shit on here in 2016 for saying Xhaka is a CM not a DM...

He is far more CM than DM ... whoever shit on you needs to re-evaluate.

[Arsenal Tone]

Simply put, Xhaka is not suited to the pace and physicality of the Premier league. There is no scenario where I see him flourishing here.

Looks great for Switzerland and would probably look good in La Liga/Serie A, but his lack of pace is a major issue. Fabregas wasn't quick but had lightening speed of thought so wouldn't get caught out dwelling on the ball.

I got shit on here in 2016 for saying Xhaka is a CM not a DM...

He is far more CM than DM ... whoever shit on you needs to re-evaluate.

It was six years ago tbf

[thebigbangtheo]

It tends to act as a pretty accurate indicator of Xhaka having had at the very least a decent enough performance, when after a game, this thread is akin to the atmosphere of a library (Google it), mausoleum or even the vacuum of space itself.

[Ach]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62483026

Any more reason needed to get rid of Arteta?

[Highbury Hillbilly]

Those saying "We need a Xhaka replacement CM this window" are living in a dream world. Xhaka is Arteta's rock in midfield, he will start for us for another 3 seasons.

[Est83]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62483026

Any more reason needed to get rid of Arteta?

The Palace game was the only issue?

I commend this guy on his focus and refusal to read critiques of his game. Because "the Palace game" is one I can barely remember, but I sure as hell remember the red cards and reckless challenges in dangerous areas leading to goals from free kicks.

Anyway, actually don't hate the guy. Love the commitment, love that he's - apparently - a great figure for the youngsters behind the scenes. And honestly wouldn't mind him staying... I just don't want him having an unquestionable place in the starting lineup.

We need another CM now. And worst case scenario, it's some youngster like the Milan dude that we'll only ever see if Xhaka's injured or suspended. Even that's fine because Xhaka will definitely get suspended. I just want someone in there.

[Zenith]

[Losmeister]

almost cost us a goal dawdling on the ball early on..

missed a great headed chance

netted an absolute gimme/sitter

[Power n Glory]

https://twitter.com/_Grimanditweets/status/1558723525812297730?t=1z6poHA_03NwUte9j29Y1A&s=19

Xhaka talking about his new role. Playing way more like a box to box 8. He still has his flaws but appreciate the effort to adapt.

[DiamondGooner]

https://twitter.com/_Grimanditweets/status/1558723525812297730?t=1z6poHA_03NwUte9j29Y1A&s=19

Xhaka talking about his new role. Playing way more like a box to box 8. He still has his flaws but appreciate the effort to adapt.

Yeah I'm not going to make any excuses for seasons past at all ........but I did walk away from his episode in our documentary liking him.

So I wish him all the best and hopefully that translates to him doing better for the club.

[CaptGooner]

https://twitter.com/_Grimanditweets/status/1558723525812297730?t=1z6poHA_03NwUte9j29Y1A&s=19

Xhaka talking about his new role. Playing way more like a box to box 8. He still has his flaws but appreciate the effort to adapt.

Pretty much where I’m at, hope he does well with more freedom. Biggest concern (as always) is if Partey goes down.