Granit Xhaka: Xhak Off?

[drippin]

I have asked it many times, but how do people see him working in this new tactic, with two fullbacks next to him? Never got answers. If Partey gets injured, because this season we have Zinchenko and Vieira for CMF positions.

Arteta said Xhaka can play there after I had asked about it, which confirms my hunch about it.

Do people think that his recent form can be for #6 role also, not only for this new role? Are those two fullbacks enough cover and help for him to be able to function in #6 role well again?

The biggest problem was always counter-attacks, because Xhaka is slow, which caused many mistakes. He has always been good positionally imo, and intelligent, unless he gets fuming or gets alone into a too difficult situation.

 

[BergMan]

Then he stopped doing that in 2017 and started getting caught in possession, misplacing passes from deep and carded, hence his new position. His future is in this new role, be happy with that

How about I bring up my stats? What do the years 2021 and 2019 have in common?
Well, many things I’m sure. But one of them is that in both seasons ending in those years, no premier league player player more passes into the final third than Granit Xhaka. Always has been a top player.

 

[drippin]

How about I bring up my stats? What do the years 2021 and 2019 have in common?
Well, many things I’m sure. But one of them is that in both seasons ending in those years, no premier league player player more passes into the final third than Granit Xhaka. Always has been a top player.

Remember the claim that progressive passes for Xhaka don't count, because he often passes forward to the same side of the field?

 

[BergMan]

I have asked it many times, but how do people see him working in this new tactic, with two fullbacks next to him? Never got answers. If Partey gets injured, because this season we have Zinchenko and Vieira for CMF positions.

Arteta said Xhaka can play there after I had asked about it, which confirms my hunch about it.

Do people think that his recent form can be for #6 role also, not only for this new role? Are those two fullbacks enough cover and help for him to be able to function in #6 role well again?

The biggest problem was always counter-attacks, because Xhaka is slow, which caused many mistakes.

As a single pivot you’re right he would be exposed. Far too much ground to cover. But in a different system with a double pivot (provided the DMF partner is athletic and can defend) he has always been exceptional. Contrary to what people are saying, he is not a #8 for Switzerland, nor was he at Gladbach. He is a #6 in a double pivot.

I said this before, but the reason Xhaka is playing as a #8 has nothing to do with “playing him higher up to mask his weaknesses”, it is to make Arsenal a much better attacking and unpredictable unit. When did the system change happen last season, of which many people point to as the turning point? (Obviously not anywhere near as good as it is now) It was the Everton game (loss) Xhaka returned from injury in. At the time people thought it was because that’s when Aubameyang was dropped. Had nothing to do with Auba, it was when Xhaka returned to the team, Arteta had it planned.


Disclaimer: If Switzerland changes the system now that they see how well he’s doing as a #8 is something different.

 

[Jury]

How about I bring up my stats? What do the years 2021 and 2019 have in common?
Well, many things I’m sure. But one of them is that in both seasons ending in those years, no premier league player player more passes into the final third than Granit Xhaka. Always has been a top player.

We went over this while you were going through 5 VPNs a week That stat, like a lot of them, is pretty sketchy

 

[BergMan]

We went over this while you were going through 5 VPNs a week That stat, like a lot of them, is pretty sketchy

I’m happy to go over them any time. It’s a mightily impressive stat, even if most passes are to an overlapping Tierney.
It’s the type of stats Toni Kroos gets lauded for, or Xavi or Alonso in their days. All players similar to the type of #6 Xhaka used to play.

 

[Jury]

Remember the claim that progressive passes for Xhaka don't count, because he often passes forward to the same side of the field?

Every team has a way of playing and little partnerships that will paint some in a better or even worse light when it comes to stats. What was the criteria for a pass to count as ‘progressive’?

 

[drippin]

As a single pivot you’re right he would be exposed. Far too much ground to cover. But in a different system with a double pivot (provided the DMF partner is athletic and can defend) he has always been exceptional. Contrary to what people are saying, he is not a #8 for Switzerland, nor was he at Gladbach. He is a #6 in a double pivot.

I said this before, but the reason Xhaka is playing as a #8 has nothing to do with “playing him higher up to mask his weaknesses”, it is to make Arsenal a much better attacking and unpredictable unit. When did the system change happen last season, of which many people point to as the turning point? (Obviously not anywhere near as good as it is now) It was the Everton game (loss) Xhaka returned from injury in. At the time people thought it was because that’s when Aubameyang was dropped. Had nothing to do with Auba, it was when Xhaka returned to the team, Arteta had it planned.

Disclaimer: If Switzerland changes the system now that they see how well he’s doing as a #8 is something different.

How do you know it had nothing to with Auba? Where is the proof?

Because it's pretty obvious that Auba changed to Laca will affect things.

 

[drippin]

Every team has a way of playing and little partnerships that will paint some in a better or even worse light when it comes to stats. What was the criteria for a pass to count as ‘progressive’?

I just think it was funny when someone or many, said that Xhaka's progressive passing stats being always so high, does not somehow count because he passes so much along the left side. Of course stats don't tell the whole truth.

 

[BergMan]

How do you know it had nothing to with Auba? Where is the proof?

Because it's pretty obvious that Auba changed to Laca will affect things.

Changing Auba to Laca was a bit more effective, but if you look at the performances and the way we played whilst Xhaka was injured for 2 Months and after Xhaka returned from injury you will see a world of difference. Whilst he was injured we were often lucky, we were defending most of the time, trying to maximise results. After Xhaka got back we started playing well, we started the early echelons of getting into the way of playing the way that Arteta wants us to play.

 

[Jury]

I just think it was funny when someone or many, said that Xhaka's progressive passing stats being always so high, does not somehow count because he passes so much along the left side. Of course stats don't tell the whole truth.

It’s not the player that I’m not a believer in when it comes to the stat, it’s the stat that I don’t believe in and the criteria.

 

[drippin]

It’s not the player that I’m not a believer in when it comes to the stat, it’s the stat that I don’t believe in and the criteria.

Well, what about those passes into final third? If what @BergMan says is true that Xhaka was the one who passed there most in some seasons, along with with big amount progressive passes, do they tell you anything?

Because I remember this discussion being related to how some people claimed Xhaka is a sideways passer not contributing enough to attack or something.

 

[Macho]

Amazing player and leader for this young squad well done Xhaka and Arteta. Currently the best left sided 8 on the entire planet as I type this I can't believe my eyes.




The above is me watching Xhaka playing the best football of his life every week. What a player, what a leader, what a man!

 

[Gooner416]

Yo @Jury I need this filled out by end of day.

 

[BergMan]

In terms of changing the false narratives… fans getting back on his side has been achieved. Next step is the commentators, pundits and journalists. Granit Xhaka is a great, lovely person off the field and they need to get that message across. Not this nasty aggressive person they keep portraying him as. After that, we might win with the referees agenda:

 

[Gooner416]

Amazing player and leader for this young squad well done Xhaka and Arteta. Currently the best left sided 8 on the entire planet as I type this I can't believe my eyes.

View attachment 9346


The above is watching Xhaka playing the best football of his life every week. What a player, what a leader, what a man!

 

[Macho]

Literally my reaction when I saw that pass for the goal.

That is what a central midfielder in his prime looks like, not shooting pigeons out the sky like Partey

Roma almost pulled a fast one on us, Mourinho knew.

 

[Gooner416]

Literally my reaction when I saw that pass for the goal.

That is what a central midfielder in his prime looks like, not shooting pigeons out the sky like Partey

Roma almost pulled a fast one on us, Mourinho knew.

Outside of De Bruyne, I can't think of a better midfielder on form in the league currently. I thought with Zinchenko out that we might see a bit of a drop off but he's gone from strength to strength. That pass was delicious.


On the Roma topic, €12M Euros bro. Man was lighting up the European Championship and 80% of this forum wanted him sold at that paltry fee and wanted relegated Sander Berge as a replacement. Mourinho had him speaking Italian already, so close.

 

[Entropics]

It seems the way to become an idol in modern Arsenal involves ****ting on the club in some capacity first. Dragging the club to unheard of lows, fighting with the fans..

There's probably a word for that kind of stuff.

 

[BergMan]

Yo @Jury I need this filled out by end of day.

Yo! Respect to whoever made this, love it