Although no Arsenal player was exactly fantastic against West Brom, Granit Xhaka wasn’t as horrendous as some.
The midfielder completed the most passes out of anyone on the pitch by far (117/129) and managed to keep relative control of the centre of the park, at least in the first half.
Granit Xhaka in the first half:
90.5% passing accuracy
78 touches
1 assist pic.twitter.com/hAIQYNm9uv— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley_) March 18, 2017
What stood out for Xhaka during the match, however, was how James McClean’s tackle on Alexis Sanchez, which could have broken the Chilean’s ankle, was ‘worth’ a yellow when you know if Xhaka had been involved, he would have been sent straight off the pitch. All the Switzerland international has to do is breathe and he’s given a card.
Not only this, but plenty of West Brom’s fouling went unpunished.
If Xhaka made that tackle John Moss would fly a banner over The Hawthorns offering a reward for killing him.
— Paddy (@VieiraPaddy) March 18, 2017
As if Xhaka wouldn't have got a six month prison sentence for that tug.
— Paul (@rockthecasbah77) March 18, 2017
As for Xhaka, there's no player that reminds me of Xabi Alonso more than he does. He's 24, in an organised team he'll be best CM in EPL.
— Arsenal (@SexyFootball_EU) March 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/RuthlessIwxbi/status/843090362931560448
However, there’s still a large portion of fans who don’t rate Xhaka at all.
xhaka one of the worst buys ever tbh
— Keiran O'D (@sneaky__leopard) March 18, 2017
Mustafi and Xhaka are not good. Cech past it. Ozil given up it seems. Little difference here
— TheRunningMan (@Andrew260589) March 18, 2017
49 year old Darren Fletcher dominating Xhaka and Ramsey in central midfield pic.twitter.com/Imh052c02X
— O O (@otoiks) March 18, 2017
Xhaka looking at Jake Livermore pic.twitter.com/GH2VShS3cm
— stay nimble (@Deckymch) March 18, 2017
Xhaka was compared to Pogba at the beginning of the season now he isn't even on Darren Fletchers level
— S (@ShawEdition) March 18, 2017