There was a moment deep into Arsenal’s 2-2 draw against Paris St Germain on Wednesday when Arsene Wenger provided just possibly the most revealing glimpse yet of his thinking on Granit Xhaka.
His marquee summer signing had been brought on in an attempt to salvage victory but, following an extravagant attempt to release Alexis Sanchez, Wenger made little attempt to conceal his frustration.
Yes, managers shout and gesticulate at every player from time to time but the clear suggestion was that he would have preferred to see something rather simpler from a £35 million midfielder who has started fewer than half of Arsenal’s games this season. And, even allowing for this being only November of Xhaka’s first season in English football, it is developing into a confusing situation.
Of the eight matches that Xhaka has started, Arsenal have won six and drawn two. He has also made some outstanding individual contributions, most notably in a 3-1 away win at Watford and also a fabulous goal against Hull City.
His performance in the Watford match was even sufficient to prompt comparison from good judges to the likes of Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit. It really did feel like Arsenal might have found the physically dominant but highly skilled central midfielder that they have been crying out for ever since Gilberto Silva moved on in 2008.
“They were breathtaking at Watford; Xhaka was fanasitc,” said Niall Quinn. “He can open things up from afar, side to side, outside of the foot. He is looking for the best ball all of the time.” And yet what happened after that Watford match? Xhaka had to wait almost another month before starting his next game; a 4-0 win against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup.
It would overstate the situation to make direct comparison with Henrikh Mkhitaryan at Manchester United – and Xhaka is still involved in most matches – but it is a set of circumstances that have become even more difficult to fathom in this past month.
It was understandable that Wenger should be initially reluctant to discard the Francis Coquelin-Santi Cazorla central midfield partnership but, once Xhaka was suspended from domestic competition after being sent off against Swansea, it was baffling that he did not take the chance to rest Cazorla in the Champions League against Ludogorets. Cazorla’s achilles tendon injury followed but still no regular place for Xhaka.
In the past week, he has played Mohamed Elneny and then Aaron Ramsey next to Coquelin during disappointing performances against Manchester United and PSG. Ramsey has been preferred despite playing through the discomfort of a broken toe. Xhaka has been told by those around him to remain patient and Wenger is also adamant that his time will come.
“He adapts to the English game,” said Wenger. “It is about pairs, as well, who work together. He will play games. Every week he will be stronger and better. He will have a huge impact. He has that stature, power, strength and what you want is for him to use that in an efficient way. Many players took some time to get into the team; he will do that without any problem. He has the engine, power and pass but there is big competition in midfield.”
There is but, equally, it made no sense to add Xhaka for that sort of price last summer unless Wenger saw him as an upgrade on what he already had. It is early days and Xhaka has only just turned 24 but, whether it is doubts over his discipline, how he fits into the team or simply a desire to ease him gently into English football, it has become an issue.
