Remarkable stat highlights £21m Arteta mistake as Havertz struggles continue for Arsenal

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Arsenal continue to face teething issues with their new-look midfield following the departure of Granit Xhaka and the signing of Kai Havertz in the summer.

A Carabao Cup elimination at the hands of West Ham United saw Arsenal deliver a disappointing display, after which Havertz was criticised for yet another poor performance.

Havertz was brought in to replace Xhaka, who joined Bayer Leverkusen in the summer for around £21m, and he has been thriving at the German International’s old club under Xabi Alonso.

Xhaka stat underlines Arsenal midfield woes

Xhaka’s brilliance at Arsenal last season helped a once-hated figure become incredibly popular amongst the fanbase, and he has had an excellent start to life at Leverkusen.

His ability to drive the ball forward helped Arsenal’s midfield function last season, and that has been sorely lacking in this campaign. Xhaka has made 104 passes into the final third this season, which remarkably, is more than Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz combined (101).

This has been reflected in Arsenal’s creative struggles, as they sit 14th in the Premier League for big chances created.

Arsenal’s midfield issues

Whilst Rice has been excellent since his arrival this summer, Havertz’s struggles have meant that he has failed to replace Xhaka’s output in the left-sided advanced central midfield role.

Xhaka brought both physicality and creativity to the role, as well as adding goal threat and helping others on the left-hand side, including Gabriel Martinelli and Oleksandr Zinchenko thrive.

Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe have had limited chances in the position, and have also struggled to replace Xhaka. Declan Rice has had some success in helping Arsenal’s build-up play when playing in the advanced role, but even he has struggled to replicate Xhaka’s ball distribution ability.

Arsenal may turn to the transfer market to help solve this issue, and have been linked with wonderkid Arthur Vermeeren, but it has now become clear to Mikel Arteta just how important Xhaka was, and how costly his exit has been.