speedy wrote:
You could say that about everyone bar auba.
By all accounts we need xhaka on nd off the pitch the desire to get better overall players makes sence but the desire to get rid of the best ones is more emotional than sensible.
Even if we bought 3 new midfielders in theyd likely takes ages to settle as most nee midfielders to the league do so wed still need xhaka In the short term. To add to that we'd probably find one or 2 of the new ones would flop. And we can't afford 3 new top quality CM's.
I agree with awooga re Xhaka in that he looks better because of our short comings as a team/squad, and I don't think he is suited to play as part of a midfield 2 in the 4231 because he requires his partner to do the heavy lifting in defence due to his shortcomings re lack of pace/acceleration and poor defensive awareness/positioning.
That said I suspect we are actually moving into phase2 of Arteta's improved tactical model with the introduction of the 4141/433 since the re-start.
I've spoken in the Arteta thread about how Saka's new position and role is based upon the tactic seen at MC with KDB & B Silva providing overlaps outside the WFS who attack the channels. This is because the MC FBs/WBs are now used more often to invert infield into midfield to support the DLP and provide a presence in behind the attack when the twin #8s join the attack in the final 3rd.
Saka as #8 on the left side can now replicate that pattern, which is also the pattern we saw in the final 3rd pre-COVID. We also have options to replicate this on the right flank if Saka is not available, and move Ceballos across to the other side. By keeping 1 of the #8 roles as playmaker but staying high with the inverted FB covering, we may even see an opportunity for Ozil in that role as essentially only the starting position changes which would not be an issue in open play.
The SECOND point to this is if we also invert our FBs to form a 235 rather than a 325, then the 2 inverted FBs then provide direct defensive support for Xhaka as DLP, and provides both improved and more effective defensive cover both through the middle as well as still being able to cover the flanks. This allows Xhaka to then play more as a Regista as we saw Guendouzi going forward v Brighton.
Yes it's another compromise 'solution' as opposed to directly addressing the core issue in the first instance, but IMO it is not the purpose of the tactical change in the first instance, but is an added bonus that could work in our favour for once.
