Breaking Down What Granit Xhaka Wlll Bring to Arsenal

In the past, Arsenal have been criticised for dragging their heels in the transfer window. The Gunners are clearly determined to avoid that this year, as Arsene Wenger is already on the verge of completing a major deal.

According to John Cross of the Mirror, Arsenal are on the precipice of announcing the third biggest signing in their history—Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka.

Cross wrote: “Arsenal expect to announce the £30m signing of Granit Xhaka in the next 48 hours. 

“The deal has been agreed, medical passed and even publicity photos done but they rushed it through at the weekend to allow the midfielder to join up with Switzerland’s Euro 2016 squad.”

It’s now merely a matter of time until the paperwork is complete and Arsenal officially unveil their new signing.

Clearly, Wenger has made recruiting Xhaka priority, but what is it about Borussia Monchengladbach’s skipper that makes him so integral to Arsenal’s plans?

Firstly there is a clear need for a new midfielder in north London. On the final day of the Premier League season, Arsenal bade farewell to the experienced trio of Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Flamini and Tomas Rosicky. Wenger has to find a way to replace them in his squad.

It’s arguable that Flamini’s replacement was secured back in January, when Wenger brought in Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny. Both men are versatile, energetic and selfless. Since Elneny broke into the first team in March, Flamini has barely figured. 

Rosicky’s place in the squad may well be inherited by academy product Alex Iwobi. Like Rosicky, the 20-year-old is able to play on either flank or as a No. 10. While he still has a long way to go before he can compare favourably with the “Little Mozart,” the talent and temperament appear to be there.

Xhaka can therefore be interpreted as a direct replacement for Arteta. The Spaniard was barely able to contribute to Arsenal’s season as injuries got the better of him and he failed to start a single Premier League game.

The truth is that he was missed, especially when Santi Cazorla was absent through injury. Arsenal lacked someone with the composure to take the ball off the back four and instigate moves from the back.

Xhaka is comfortable in that role. Like Arteta and Cazorla, he began his career in a more advanced position before settling into a deeper deployment.

…

continue reading in source www.bleacherreport.com