Just looked it up, Xhaka missed 5 prem games through suspension in his first season and was on the bench for a home game v Southampton in the 4th game of the season. He started every other Prem match

No i think even wenger remember by October he had been dropped I recall so when he was recalled against forest and scored a 30 yarder he gave it to the fans by giving a "talking hand" Celebration. Even early doors there were issues.

We've had to play him out of necessity really. He's all we've got type thing.

Just looked it up, Xhaka missed 5 prem games through suspension in his first season and was on the bench for a home game v Southampton in the 4th game of the season. He started every other Prem match

Our midfielders that season were Xhaka himself, Özil (who was also a regular starter in those days), Cazorla, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Iwobi, Wilshere, Coquelin and Reine Adelaide. I’d say those nine (or eight if you want to exclude Reine Adelaide as he didn’t play a single Premiership game that season) gave Wenger plenty of opportunity to not keep picking him.

For me Xhakas biggest flaw will always be his lack of speed and mobility, which is a clear limitation playing in those compact midfield areas. He's got other qualities that still makes him a very good player though, he's positionally sound and a great passer - he sometimes gets accused of only playing it safe, but the stats below shows he makes more progressive passes per 90 minutes than almost every midfielder in the league.



All in all he's comfortably the best midfielder we have behind Partey who looks to be in a league of his own, but I would also say it's an area where we should look to strengthen in the summer. If we can get someone in who can compete with or even displace Xhaka, our midfield would become a real area of strength.

Interesting stat. What counts as a progressive action because i only ever see Xhaka making 2 passes

Xhaka is our midfield iteration of Mustafi, a brain fart away from the next calamity, pick them both you have the perfect storm.

To be fair to him though, I think he has cut that out of his game to a big extent. I can't remember many mistakes that lead to a goal or good scoring chance from the past two seasons or so at least.

..

If you get banned for either one or three games for each sending off, maybe he missed at least one for sufficient bookings?

He got 2 x 3 game bans for his two red cards but served 1 game of the first 3 match ban in a cup game, so missed 5 league games through suspension

Tierney misses out, Cédric at left back.

Pépé in for Aubameyang. Huge chance for Pépé as he’s playing with 5 midfielders and forwards who are first choice and playing well. Can he perform up to their level?

Pépé caught sleeping there, but that's a pretty good goal to be honest

Bollox. One down instead of one up. Sigh.

Wasn’t even paying attention

It was ludicrous