Is it time to try replacing Xhaka with Trossard?
Perhaps not right from the start but still thinking through ways to get Arsenal's attack flowing again when it stalls.
While I was watching the Everton vs Arsenal match this was one of the main thoughts that came into my head:
Arsenal need to figure out how to better take advantage of the left half space (well actually both, but on the right side it is harder to imagine an internal change that upgrades things).
Arsenal had trouble accessing this space given the tactics of Everton; they were set to try to make this area extremely congested, and when Arsenal did find players in this area they could not effectively use that to progress the ball into the box.
It feels harsh to write this and have it come off as a criticism of Granit Xhaka because it isn’t. This is more a reflection of the current team with Gabriel Jesus injured and what the team is missing in matches such as this where the team is struggling to pick the lock. In situations like that, Xhaka’s weakness of beating a man and little dagger balls comes into more sharp relief.
Early in the season, Granit Xhaka was doing really well playing off of Gabriel Jesus and Martinelli but since the injury to Jesus, he (as with Martinelli) has seen his attacking numbers change as the needs of the team have changed with the loss of the player that could have been the player of the season.
Before the World Cup Xhaka was averaging, 1.1 shots, with 0.13 xG and adding 4 progressive passes and 0.1 xA from 1.6 key passes.
Xhaka was a lot more of an extra man helping to knit things together or make runs to help open space for the two Brazilians. The connection between the three was quite strong and led to some impressive performances from all three.
With Jesus out, Xhaka has had to pick up a bigger burden trying to create with Eddie Nketiah being a different type of striker, who is less inclined to come out to the left breaking some of what was a very productive triangle.
Xhaka has seen his shot numbers go down, with more a bit more action in the final third but with a slight decline in touches in the box. He has had to try and pick up more the creative burden that Jesus was providing (and doing a good job) but without the ability to be a floating player his connection with Martinelli has suffered.
This brings us back to my initial question, would it be worth considering perhaps considering Leandro Trossard in certain situations to bring back some of what was missing in the absence of Jesus.
I think you could make a strong argument for any of the three of Martinelli, Nkethiah, or Xhaka as candidates that he could be brought on for with his interesting blend of skills. I don’t know if this is something that you start a match with (unless it is going to be a team like Everton where you are fairly certain that you will really push them back) but it would make sense as something that I think would be worth considering if after 60 minutes it looks like the opposition needs a new problem to solve.
When I was writing up and looking at him after he signed, the idea of getting him to operate in the half spaces for Arsenal really stuck with me
These are the areas where he creates the most threat and with Martinelli looking to play off him on the left really brings excitement for me. I think this is also why I think when you have seen him play it has been paired with Kieren Tierney, he is a 4th channel player rather than a chalk-on-the-boots winger.
I could imagine a similar type of impact as a false nine who does a pretty decent job of replicating what Jesus did and offers a change of pace to defenses compared to the more traditional Nketiah who is a penalty box player.
These were the things that made me happy with the addition of Trossard and I hope that we get to see him used to help change the dynamic of matches in more creative ways as he is bedded into the team and system further.
Week 23 Odds
The weekend starts with a London Derby. I probably won’t set my alarm to get up early for this but I am at least curious at this one. I continue to want to watch more Declan Rice (who was good against Newcastle) and to hate watch Chelsea.
As always I will hope for a Chelsea loss.
For the 7am kickoffs I will of course be watching Arsenal.
Arsenal are defending a lot of expected points here but this is still a tough match with Brentford one of the most in-form teams currently. They will probably look to try to implement some of the things that Eveton and Newcastle did to quite the wide players and giving them a different problem could become something needed.
The late Saturday match is probably one of the more forgettable matches of the weekend and it will most likely get related to the background as I do post-match writing and stats work.
Sunday has a couple decent matches featuring both Manchester Teams.
United will look to avenge their dropped points midweek and Manchester City will face Unai Emery’s Aston Villa, either having to match Arsenal or potentially close the gap before the two face each other Wednesday.
The matchweek ends with the Merseyside Derby Monday Night.
Klopp vs Dyche. The title of club in crisis on the line. It could be a fun match. If Everton play with the same intensity they could be quite the handful for Liverpool.