Arsenal central midfielder Granit Xhaka and center back David Luiz are both very comfortable with the ball at their feet and are relied on to connect the team’s build-up play out of phase 1, via both picking out forward passes and strategically carrying the ball forward.
This is borne out in the statistics as well with Luiz ranking in the 75th percentile in progressive passes per 90 minutes (3.52) and the 84th percentile in progressive carries per 90 (4.46), compared to all center backs over the last year.
Xhaka is even more impressive, ranking in the 92nd percentile in progressive passes per 90 (6.57) and 80th percentile in progressive carries per 90 (5.55), along with ranking in the 91st percentile for passes attempted (72.7) and 90th percentile for pass completion (89.6%) – amongst all central midfielders over the last year (perhaps we can put that “Xhaka only passes sideways!” trope to bed). Those numbers are even more impressive when only selecting for the 20/21 season:
Accordingly, Luiz is the main outlet from the backline constantly picking out balls over the top or across multiple lines or carrying out as needed. Xhaka is used in multiple roles to optimize his progressive distribution strengths, whether it’s in the midfield during the transition, dropping into the hole when building out of the back, or dropping into the left-back position when in possession.
However, when either player is missing – and especially both, as has been the case since the 2nd leg vs Villareal in the Europa League with Xhaka being a late scratch due to an adductor issue and Luiz missing for weeks with a hamstring injury following nearly 3 weeks out following a knee procedure – the team struggles mightily with its build-up play and becomes very predictable due to either very limited passers or limited high-level phase 1 passers in general. Arteta’s game plan used Xhaka as the main hub for distribution out of the left-back position to that point in the Villareal match, but those plans were obviously thrown for a loop.
This reliance on two players as the main progressive passing hubs is a problem in and of itself because it makes the team very predictable and defensives can tilt their structure to take away their passing and progression lanes. It further speaks of how imbalanced the roster is and lack of depth in terms of dynamic outlets.
Additionally, both Xhaka and Luiz are potentially leaving the team this summer – with Luiz’s departure confirmed and Xhaka’s status up in the air – which makes the issue even more glaring.
The moral of all this is this: One of Arsenal’s key priorities this summer needs to be acquiring higher-level progressive passers in multiple positions. It’s critical to ask multiple questions of the defense and play through multiple outlets to keep the opposition uncomfortable and unable to key in only on a few players to completely gummy up build-up play.
Fin. COYG.
Dr Rajpal Brar, DPT, (@3cbperformance) is a physiotherapist, movement expert, fitness trainer, sports scientist and mindfulness coach. He runs the LA and online based wellness and athletic performance clinic 3CB Performance, is an avid Gooner since 1995, and you can subscribe to his Youtube channel (which posts a variety of Gunners’ related content).