I want this one to happen. I'm not yet convinced of Xhaka's quality; I haven't seen enough of him to know for sure but I am encouraged by posters on here that know their stuff saying great things about his ability - the reason I want him is for what I have read of his personality and character. He's big, strong, dirty, aggressive and a very, very bad loser, as well as captaining both his team (youngest in the Bundesliga) and his country - boy, do we need a bit of that at Arsenal.

Yep they are the reasons I want him too

Do think he's lacking slightly technically but that's more of an issue to sort further up the pitch in my opinion

Him and Mahrez would be a great summer

Yeah, I have to admit, I'm not sure he's great technically from the little I've seen myself. Decent and with a sledge hammer of a left foot that he can do almost anything with but his touch and manipulation of the ball don't look that great to me. Certainly not on Xabi Alonso's level, which is who he's been repeatedly compared to. As I said, though, I don't really care, it's the other stuff I want. If he's better in the ball than I thought then it's a bonus.

If we get a new midfielder Xhaka looks like the sort of player we need to me. Although like others I haven't see much of him. I want that aggression though.

Smoke and Mirrors.

Elneny's not putting his defensive work in if those stats are to go by.

His are worse than Cazorla's FFS.

Small sample size it has to be said, and those games being his first in the PL is probably a mitigating factor.

Gunner89 wrote:

Elneny's not putting his defensive work in if those stats are to go by.

His are worse than Cazorla's FFS.

He's just not good at it. Lost way too many tackles against City.

He's not used to the more athletic league yet. You can see why wengs held him back at the start.

He has looked completely out of his depth a few times physically this season.

Agreed Ricky.

Though some have said otherwise Elneny should definitely not be a consideration for buying players at CM IMO.

Xhaka/Kante I'd sign them both and Mahrez if possible.

Plenty of the cash from last season left too along with this summers.

No excuses.

Xhaka-Wilshere
------Özil------

That would be a midfield.

Rather have Kante for the money involved, unless we get rid of Ramsey. Otherwise I can't see Wenger picking up two centre mids, regardless of whatever those of us on here prefer

We should add more aggression by signing the Greek beast Manolas. With him and Xhaka there would be no soft underbelly.

Jed wrote:

Xhaka-Wilshere
------Özil------

That would be a midfield.

So we are back to wilshere at CM, that has never been a solid option.

That's his best position imo.

What are the alternatives?

Coquelin? Too defensive
Elneny? Not good enough.
Cazorla? Quality but getting on, legs are going
Ramsey? Not a CM

Ricky1985 wrote:

He has looked completely out of his depth a few times physically this season.

yep i've said this a few times as well. i'm not sure if time will actually improve that side of his game, it may just be a shortcoming he'll have to deal with

Jed wrote:

That's his best position imo.

What are the alternatives?

Coquelin? Too defensive
Elneny? Not good enough.
Cazorla? Quality but getting on, legs are going
Ramsey? Not a CM

Wilshere's best position, if we're to take most played position as an indicator, is on the injury table. Planning around Wilshere would be an incredibly foolish thing to do.