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International break catch-up: Five takeaways from Arsenal’s season so far

By Kian Long

Arsenal's Alex Iwobi celebrates to the fans after Alexandre Lacazette (back) scores his side's second goal of the game during the Premier League match at Craven Cottage, London. (Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Alex Iwobi celebrates to the fans after Alexandre Lacazette (back) scores his side's second goal of the game during the Premier League match at Craven Cottage, London. (Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 07: Lucas Torreira of Arsenal challenged by Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on October 6, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 07: Lucas Torreira of Arsenal challenged by Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa of Fulham during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Arsenal FC at Craven Cottage on October 6, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) /

3. Never underestimate a balanced midfield

One of the main takes from Arsenal’s season is their midfield. The reason why this is so impressive is because it’s personal to the club. They’ve struggled to maintain a strong midfield for many seasons now, but it looks like they could finally have just that.

Although as a rival fan you may brush them aside because of their talent, each Arsenal midfielder plays their own role to keep the midfield ticking, and that’s all that matters. Lucas Torreira controls the defensive side, Aaron Ramsey pushes forward and Granit Xhaka keeps the ball moving with his passing ability.

This has seen Xhaka truly flourish. For too long under Arsene Wenger, the Swiss international was judged solely on his defending ability, because the expectation was placed on him. It goes without saying that this was a wrong way to judge his ability, as we all know he prefers to play the passing role. To judge Xhaka on his defending is like judging a fish on how well it can climb a tree.

The only downside to this is of course, Ramsey’s inevitable departure. Arsenal will need to find another box-to-box midfielder in order to fill his boots if the midfield is to continue thriving. I can only assume that Unai Emery is knee-deep into video analysis of players matching this style across the globe. All Arsenal fans can do is wait.

Still, for now at least he is a Gunner, and Emery will have no plans to leave him out of the starting eleven.

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