Arsenal: 3 key partnerships that will serve Arteta well this season

2. Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos

The most integral part to any team is how well the midfield gels. Luckily for Arsenal, they have a plethora of midfield talent so they can easily switch the partnership around as they please.

However, the duo that seems to work best for Mikel Arteta is that of Granit Xhaka and Dani Ceballos. This is why they were so set on signing Ceballos on another season-long loan because this might leave them in a better place to sign him permanently when the summer transfer window comes around.

Ceballos had to sit out of the opening Premier League matchday but this is not because Arteta is waiting to involve him, since he knows all about his exploits and what he brings to the side. That said, I have no doubt he will start against West Ham this weekend and continue to solidify his place in the XI alongside Xhaka.

The reason why this duo works so well and effortlessly is that they both strive to carry out different, but complementary tasks. While Ceballos likes to bring the ball forward and be more direct in his creative play, Xhaka prefers to dictate the tempo in the midfield and will often spread the play out wide if that’s what the rhythm of the game asks for.

The two have a great understanding of each other and a mutual appreciation of the game, shared by the former midfielder and now manager Arteta. That said, they make the perfect duo in Arsenal’s midfield.