Daily Bits and Bobs

Double boost for Christmas. Xhaka says he won’t change, but has he already?

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Great news re Danny Welbeck. He’s back in training with his team-mates but we won’t see him for a few weeks yet. Maybe a game or two for the under 23’s will be in store for him as he builds up his strength and match fitness. I’ll never forget his goal against Leicester last season for all sorts of reasons and I doubt he will either. A lovely way to mark his comeback from injury and I hope he can have a similar if not better return this time around.

There are of course phases in the game where the line becomes blurred, but then you need to step up psychologically. I play with a lot of emotion because I’m a passionate guy and I play with that passion.

I love playing that way. Sometimes you’re late onto the ball, sometimes you’re not. Sometimes you make contact with the guy when you tackle him, sometimes not. It’s a sport where individual duels are vital so I don’t see it as a problem.

I wouldn’t change myself for anybody. I am who I am, people accept me or they don’t. I have my strengths and my weaknesses which I can try to improve upon, of course. I’m still not the finished product. I’m only 24 so I’ve got plenty of time to keep improving. –  Granit Xhaka talking to the official website.

Well, considering he’s not been booked or sent off for a while would suggest Xhaka has either been told to calm his tough tackling down, he’s improving his timing, or he’s just not making as many tackles as he has done previously in his footballing career. This is a guy who I thought would breeze into the Premier League and boss the Arsenal midfield but there’s been little sign of that lately, certainly in the last couple of matches. Maybe the pairing of him together with Francis Coquelin is a partnership which is still growing or maybe Elneny is Xhaka’s perfect partner.

Cazorla and Coquelin works as the little Spaniard has an eye for a pass and with his super quick feet, he can dribble himself out of a problem, look up and spot an attacking move which leaves the Frenchman to do what he does best. Don’t get me wrong, Xhaka can pass the ball through the eye of a needle, but again, we’ve not seen too many of those passes of late and his long distance shots have gone from his game too.

So all in all, regardless of what he says, Granit Xhaka has changed, which might be helping the disciplinary side to his game, but I’m not sure it’s doing this Arsenal team much good. Overall, Xhaka has a 74% success rate for tackling and as much as I hate stats, Mohamed Elneny pips his in this department with a 78% success rate. Admittedly, the Egyptian has played a few more matches but it was against West Brom last season in which the new January signing starred.

The fixture took place on the 21st April this year, a time when Arsenal were out of the title race. As so often we’d look good up until Christmas but last season, with the way all the other teams were playing, we really had a chance to win the Premier League. But having been in a very good position on the day Santa carried out his one job of the year, we capitulated almost quicker than the big fella was able to get back home to his log fire..

You don’t need me to run through the fixtures, explain the way we played etc as it’s all a too familiar story but after two draws against West Ham and Crystal Palace, The Emirates was missing a big chunk of it’s home fans as Tony Pulis and his boys turned up. As said, Elneny was pretty good but having scored both goals to give us a 2-0 victory, it was Alexis who grabbed the MOTM award.

Elneny played alongside Ramsey that night and with the Welshman having returned to training, Arsene Wenger might just be tempted to play that same pairing on Boxing Day. Me, I’d love to see Xhaka and Elneny take on West Brom, together with another nine Arsenal players of course..

Oh, the referee for Sunday’s match is Neil Swarbrick – goodie!

Enough of my ramblings. It’s Christmas Eve, a time when men start buying presents and people party but whatever you are doing today/tonight to celebrate this great occasion, have a wonderful time, stay safe and if you’re driving, keep it soft drinks only.

It’s not worth the risk….

rico

15 thoughts on “Double boost for Christmas. Xhaka says he won’t change, but has he already?”

  1. andrewh1313 says:

    Morning rico, House. Great to see Danny back. How is it that he has had two major injuries in his short time at Arsenal but never seemed injured at ManU? Differences in our matches and training, or just bad luck?

  2. Adam says:

    Morning Rico and all. An in-depth and excellent post this morning with a few stats thrown in too. I am just getting ready to go to the West End to buy some presents but am having difficulty summoning the will power to actually get out the door. Perhaps I’ll just watch Jason and the Argonauts first. 🙂

  5. scottfromoz says:

    Great post, Rico.
    Morning all.
    Nearly Xmas day here in Oz, so I’ll jump in early and wish you all a merry Xmas, and a happy new year.
    Let’s hope our boys make 2017 a year to emember for all the right reasons, and our esteemed politicians don’t destroy our planet for a while to come yet.

  6. Rick says:

    Afternoon Rico and the House.
    Just a short visit to wish the good guys a merry Xmas and a happy new year.
    See you some time next week.

  14. Lee says:

    Happy Christmas Brudder (Mrs B too) and all the Housers!!

    My daughter pointed out this morning that Santa Clause must support Arsenal as he wears red and white!!!

    Rico thanks for your daily articles, be nice if Arsenal won a major trophy in 2017 by way of a thank you!

    It is Christmas so I can dream, can’t I?

    Don’t forget to raise a glass for those that aren’t with us anymore….

    I’m waffling….. Peace & Love.

Leave your comment.

Discover more from Highbury House

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading