Martin Keown believes the arrival of Denis Suarez is bad news for Granit Xhaka, as he thinks the Swiss international is the most likely to be replaced in the team.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Fulham FC at Emirates Stadium on January 1, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 01: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Fulham FC at Emirates Stadium on January 1, 2019, in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Arsenal signed Suarez on loan from FC Barcelona on deadline day, but it wasn’t exactly clear which position he was brought in to reinforce. The midfielder spent some time playing in behind the striker with Barcelona, but he also played on the wings, which is where he featured regularly at Sevilla and Villarreal as well.

However, Keown believes the Spaniard was signed for Arsenal’s midfield trio, to replace Granit Xhaka.

“The arrival of Denis Suarez at Arsenal puts pressure on Granit Xhaka,” Keown said. “Unai Emery is not going to drop Lucas Torreira, and Matteo Guendouzi has showed promise. I am surprised Emery did not prioritise signing a defender but this move clearly suggests that he wants to improve Arsenal’s ability to control games in midfield.”

Denis Suarez in training via Twitter / Arsenal
Denis Suarez in training via Twitter / Arsenal

Unai Emery suggested something very different though. The head coach told reporters in his pre-match press conference (via Mirror): “Denis is coming here because we have a lot of problems with the winger. That is the reason. He can play right, left and he can play inside like a 10 player. I will use him in all positions.”

There’s certainly no suggestion from Emery that he’s planning to use Suarez in a sitting midfield pair, or as part of a midfield trio. The main reason he signed him is clearly to give Arsenal some width, with the added bonus that he can also play as a 10, if necessary. Two positions Granit Xhaka should be nowhere near anyway.

Keown could still end up being right, completely unintentionally. If the opportunity to use Suarez as a wide player convinces Emery to switch to a 4-2-3-1, he’ll have to drop either Torreira, Guendouzi or Xhaka. Not so Suarez can help ‘control games in midfield’, but just because there would be one fewer midfield spot up for grabs. We’ll see.