Arsenal began the season with doubts over the future of Granit Xhaka at the Emirates Stadium. The Swiss midfielder was just one step away from ing Jose Mourinho at AS Roma, but his transfer failed at the last moment as the clubs could not agree on a transfer fee.

Before another transfer offer could arrive for the midfielder, Mikel Arteta made him an indispensable part of his plans. Xhaka signed a contract extension with Arsenal committing himself to the club till 2024 with an option to extend for another year.

Arsenal started their season with three losses in the Premier League, conceding nine goals and scoring none. The heaviest defeat came against Manchester City, losing 5-0 at Etihad. Adding insult to injury, Granit Xhaka saw a direct red card against the defending champions and was banned for three games.

Arteta had to reshuffle and restructure his teams’ midfield to cope with the loss of the Swiss midfielder. The Spaniard relied on different combinations in the next three games, giving minutes to Lokonga and Maitland-Niles alongside Partey. He even tried a new formation against Burnley and in the Carabao Cup game against AFC Wimbledon.

With the Swiss midfielder returning for the North London Derby, Arteta reverted to the two-man-midfield of Partey and Xhaka. Although Arsenal won the game handsomely beating Tottenham 3-1, they lost Xhaka to a knee injury. Lucas Moura caught Granit Xhaka accidentally after the Tottenham forward was challenged by Thomas Partey.

The club later posted on its official website that medical assessments and scans confirmed “a significant injury to his medial knee ligament” but surgery was not required. The statement further said that the 29-year-old could be “back in action in approximately three months”. This means he could miss up to 14 Premier League games, not returning to action until early next year.

Many Arsenal fans have wanted to see how their club plays in the absence of the influential, but divisive Swiss international, and finally their wish is getting fulfilled. The manager has played a couple of players in Xhaka’s position since his injury. However, let’s look at the midfielders best suited to replace the 29-year-old.

Arteta on Xhaka injury:

"It's really bad news personally for Granit. He's a strong man and will use this time to focus on other things. He's a big player for us and he's really important, he'll be missed. Other players have to step in."https://t.co/6GMzwwqoSK

— Chris Wheatley (@ChrisWheatley) September 30, 2021

Albert Sambi Lokonga

The first name that pops up is of course of the young Belgian, who signed this summer from Anderlecht. Lokonga has had a good start to the season and was one of the few positives for the Gunners during their dismal start to the 20/21 season.

With Thomas Partey returning from injury, Lokonga’s game time dropped. Although he was brought in as a backup option for the Ghanaian midfielder, he did make appearances from the bench against Burnley and Tottenham. He was able to showcase his talents in his short appearances, despite being so young and inexperienced at this level.

However, it seems that the Swiss’ injury was a blessing in disguise for the 22-year-old, with Lokonga making the position his own. He is now a regular feature in the Arsenal line-up alongside Partey and is the perfect replacement for Xhaka if he decides to leave next summer.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles

Ainsley Maitland-Niles can also be a good option. Mikel Arteta blocked his transfer to Everton in the summer, as he sees him as an able backup option. And what better moment than now when the team is missing one of their main midfielders. When Arteta was asked if the 24-year-old was a candidate to replace Xhaka at Brighton, he replied:

“Ainsley is certainly one of the options. We have used him quite a lot since the start of the season, he is doing really well and I am pleased with what I have seen from him.”

People looking at Mohamed Elneny, Sambi Lokonga or Martin Ødegaard playing alongside Thomas Partey due to Granit Xhaka's injury but don't count out Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Here's the Hale End boy's MOTM performance for Arsenal at Old Trafford in midfield. pic.twitter.com/HJfWnXGPu0

— Michael Gravesande (@OldBlackHack) September 29, 2021

It is already looking bright for the Hale End academy graduate, having made several Premier League appearances off the bench in Xhaka’s absence and also starting the Carabao Cup game against Leeds. However, Arteta sees him more as a backup for the wing-back role rather than midfield.

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Mohamed Elneny

Mikel Arteta, in the past, has many times turned to Mohamed Elneny, and therefore he is certainly an option to consider. However, the Egyptian midfielder has hardly played in the league this season, but Xhaka’s absence could be that one opportunity for him to impress the manager. He started the Carabao Cup game against Leeds United alongside AMN.

Of all the midfielders discussed above, Elneny has the most similar traits to Xhaka. He prefers to drop deep and receive the ball from the back. His trait of ing the ball sideways rather than forward can be a source of frustration for both the manager and the fans. Nonetheless, he isn’t and shouldn’t be the number one option to replace Xhaka.

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