As Arsenal prepare to face Leicester City on Saturday, it’s high-time that Emile Smith-Rowe come in for Granit Xhaka, in our view.
While the latter has been a ‘revelation’ this season, Paul Merson, who said he ‘looks lost’ is certainly right in pointing out how he has been ‘out of form’, especially since the World Cup.
With Arsenal aiming to extend their lead to 5 points at the top of the Premier League table, we have discussed why Mikel Arteta must start Emile Smith-Rowe instead of Granit Xhaka at the King Power Stadium.
Arsenal boss Arteta should start Smith-Rowe instead of Xhaka vs Leicester
Naturally, the worry on several Gunners fans’ minds would be that if the £30 million (Sky Sports) mainstay is replaced for the Englishman, the side will lose a lot from a defensive standpoint in the middle of the park.
However, that remains a misconception, as Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka will be expected to operate in an advanced No.8 role, where he has thrived this season against Leicester, where Emile Smith-Rowe would be at his brilliant best.
As a result, this personnel change would not particularly affect Jorginho, as his workload as the deepest midfielder remains the same.
Xhaka, who has been out-of-sorts since the World Cup simply cannot offer the creative threat that a ‘game-changer’ like Smith-Rowe, who is a natural creative midfielder can for Arsenal against Leicester.
Currently, the creative burden of the side is completely being shouldered by Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard and if it was not for Jorginho’s late strike being bundled into the back of the net after a slice of luck, the Gunners would have endured their 4th game without a league win.
Smith-Rowe, as he showcased against Aston Villa last season is particularly comfortable operating in the inside left channel, which is why he would suit coming in for Arsenal against Leicester for Xhaka especially, who plays on that very same side as well.
With the £40,000-a-week ‘huge talent’ also displaying his eye for goal last season with 10 in the league alone last term, it is a move worth making.
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