Another start to the season that has been highlighted by three bookings and a string of mistakes, the pressure on Granit Xhaka’s position at the heart of Arsenal’s midfielder has reached an all-time high.
Shipped off against Manchester City at half-time and the arrival of two new central midfielders, it seems the 25-year-old is quickly running out of chances under new boss Unai Emery. With the international break, the former PSG boss now has a chance to assess his midfield options.
Here are three reasons why Emery must drop the Swiss interntional:
1. Lucas Torreira
While one central midfielder might be on the decline, another seems to be making a noteworthy first impression.
Putting in a string of impressive performances for Uruguay out in Russia this summer, Lucas Torreira earnt a £26million move from Sampdoria.
Quickly living up to his tag as one of the most promising midfielders in European football, the 22-year-old built a fearsome reputation in Serie A.
Since establishing himself in Sampdoria’s first team during the 2016/2017 season, Torreira has gone from strength to strength.
He won more tackles (198), more fouls (174) and making more interceptions (158) than any other player in Italy.
Arsenal’s new #11 also had the highest tackle win percentage at 68.2%.
2. Granit Xhaka’s dreadful disciplinary record
Even though he might be struggling to justify his £35million price tag, the Swiss international has stayed consistent in one area. His dreadful disciplinary record.
Picking up three of his customary bookings in Arsenal’s opening four Premier League games, Xhaka appears to be carrying on from where he left off last season.
Xhaka Finished the last campaign with 10 bookings to his name.
The 25-year-old also committed 57 fouls, six more than any other player in the Premier League.
Xhaka does not have the discipline to offer Musafi and Sokratis the protection they so dearly need.
3. The fans revolution
Although Arsenal have done an admirable job of keeping faith with Xhaka since his arrival in 2015, fans around the Emirates have grown tired of handing out second chances.
Following on from his accidental contribution to Cardiff’s first goal on Sunday, the calls for him to be dropped are certainly getting louder.
In fact, it seems that even some of Xhaka’s most longstanding supporters have seen enough of the former Mönchengladbach man.