Whilst retaining the services of the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Özil for the coming season will undoubtedly be critical in Arsenal's pursuit of success in the 2017/18 campaign, the emergence of Granit Xhaka as an influential force within the first team could prove equally important as the Gunners seek to bounce back from a disappointing season that saw them fail to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in twenty years.
Having arrived in the summer of 2016, the former Borussia Monchengladbach man's maiden campaign at the Emirates fell flat for large parts of the season, seeing him deliver just two goals and two assists in his 32 league appearances.
With the trials and tribulations of last season now consigned to experience, the midfielder's early-season form suggests he is primed to play a key role in the campaign ahead - having settled into his new surroundings a year on.
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Image: PA
Despite fans being delivered glimmers of his potential on occasions during the inaugural months of the 2016/17 season, his regular ability to flatter to deceive following the high expectations on his arrival to the club became almost emblematic of the club's stuttering performnaces across swathes of a bitty campaign.
As Arsenal's season went into free fall across much of February and March, Xhaka was one of many players to be maligned for a number of underwhelming performances.
Whilst the midfielder tepid form and ill temperament may rightly have drawn criticism from many fans and pundits alike, Wenger's bold decision to transition to the in-vogue back three system supported by two holding midfielders proved critical in the transformation of the new signing's fortunes towards the back end of the campaign.
With extra defensive cover afforded by the introduction of a third centre back, the playmaker was freed of the shackles that had hindered his ability to impose himself on the game, playing a valuable role in an upturn in the sides form - going on to win the FA Cup final against London rivals Chelsea.
Image: PA
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The excellent end-of-season form of the Swiss midfielder continued in the Community Shield Final, as he continued to prove just how influential a figure he can be in the centre of the park when on his game.
The £30 million man was metronomic for Arsenal during the new season's curtain raiser, recording an assist and an almost unprecedented 100% pass completion ratio from 98 balls as his side produced a second victory over the blues in as many competitive matches.
Whilst Xhaka has certainly began to deliver performances like this on a more consistent basis in the past few months, it would be foolish to suggest that he is the finished article just yet.
A reputation for ill-discipline remains one of the biggest concerns that could still hold Xhaka back from truly unleashing his full potential, having amassed an eye-watering nine red cards for club and country since April 2014.
This nasty streak on the pitch reflects shades of the fledgling years of Steven Gerrard's illustrious career - harnessing this ferocious competitiveness into a match winning mentality, rather than being a potential liability at times of importance for his club, will prove critical in the development of his career.
The 53 time capped international has proven his ability to exert his influence on matches thus far this season, but errors still remain a factor in his game on occasions.
It was his give away in possession against Leicester City that led to their second goal in Friday's thrilling Premier League opener. However, his coolness under pressure to deliver the ball on a plate for Ramsey to score the Gunners' third in a seemingly unlikely come back exemplified just how important a role he can play for the club.
Despite the blemish of the second Leicester goal, the midfielder refused to let this undermine his performance - going on to record a more than impressive haul of 96 passes that produced five goal scoring opportunities and two assists on his side's Premier League return.
Statistics that would have likely have hit international virality, had they been produced from an Alonso or a Pirlo.
With no definitive timeline put on the return of the club's maestro Santi Cazorla, Xhaka's ability to deliver the best of his obvious playmaking abilities on a consistent basis could prove tantamount to Arsenal re-establishing themselves amongst English football's elite in the 2017/18 campaign.
If the 24-year-old can add dependability and clear leadership to his repertoire as he enters the peak years of his career, he could prove to be a significant cog in the Arsenal machine for many years to come.
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Words by Joe Thomas - @JoeThom4
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Arsenal
