Basically, you're going to see the influence of Xhaka in this team in this thread. Most of you will be shellshocked. I will give you Mourinho's eye.

Let's start with direction. In every single game, he's telling players where to pass and directing the entire build-up. He's so active that this thread will be long. Watch these first and name a midfield player with this much leadership impact in football.

He single handily gives direction in midfield. Literally gives it character. Without him, we are lost.

He's also very very positionally aware, taking in information and does everything a DM should

Leno is always flustered with the ball at his feet. Needs direction.

He tells Ceballos to mark Rodri in the press, covers space on the right and the he wins the ball back. He was actually trusted by Arteta to lead the press because he moves the pieces.

Another example of him being quite advanced and central. In position to direct his teammates from all angles.

Here, you'll see him pointing at Sterling and shouting 'Dani!' He wants Ceballos to mark Sterling between the lines. Always switched on.

Here, he tells Tierney about the run on the outside. He always does this consistently to make sure that nobody runs in behind his fullback.

He's also very good at anticipating and covering space in the middle. Closes Aguero down from the correct angle. Doesn't let players shoot down the middle.

Here, he funnels Sterling into a tight area. He isn't the quickest but he's arguably the fittest midfielder at the club and has a massive engine. Sometimes when the game is stretched, he still has legs and comes from deep to score from range (big games).

Here, Gabriel doesn't know what to do. He tells him to pass to Tierney but finds Ceballos under pressure. He would've saved an extra pass by listening to Xhaka.

Again, he's the most advanced midfielder in the press. He covers a lot of ground and makes a lot of sprints because he has a huge engine.

Here, he barely runs and still makes the anticipation. Sometimes, you don't need to run to be active. Defensive midfield play is about saving cardiovascular energy for essential moments. Some midfielders charge around, get caught out of position and get injured for it (Renato).

That's also why he never gets tired or injured. Here are some other nice things he did this half. He hasn't played with full freedom for a good few years. This is average for him on the ball. He's also a big reason Saka is so effective. Most balls come from him.

This was one of the only games Arteta went with the 4-3-3. This is what the team will end up looking like tactically. As you saw in earlier clips, City usually mark him with 2 men in the build-up. Respect.

Here, you can see that he used to be a #10. He actually sets up the final pass. Attacking passers see the pass after their pass. He timed it so the first touch puts Auba through at the perfect time. He has games like this all the time and people say he played badly.

The facts don't lie. He has these kind of statistics at every club in his career. In terms of all round influence, you haven't actually upgraded with Partey if you get rid of him. https://twitter.com/ddoublepivot/status/1322145429279092736?s=19

According to the model, he's as influential as the liked of Kanté and Thiago. Teams are much better with him it it. Every coach makes him the first name on the teamsheet. https://twitter.com/Goalimpact/status/1299066775997480960?s=19

Partey improves aspects of the midfield I.e. covering ground and dribbling from pressure, but doesn't give the team the same direction. Balance.

When he joined, he would do things like switch play in the final third with his right peg. He used the right side more at Glabach. When he becomes less confident, he becomes more left side heavy. The treatment he gets from the media and Arsenal fans stifles his game.

When things are volatile, he can make unforced errors. Emotional. He does become less logical with decision making when the chaos guides his emotions. Quite literally the heartbeat and brains of the team. When he falls, the entire team falls.

I wonder if he's left foot heavy and emotional (impulsive at times) because of his right brain (hemisphere). You can see it in his leadership style. Strong leader and can make mistakes. Needs to be balanced by the right temperament I.e. Ainsley and Partey.

The right side of your brain controls your left side. The left side of your brain controls your right side. The right side of your bain is responsible for emotions and creativity. The left side of the brain is the analytical and logical side.

I suspect that Xhaka is right brain dominant, which explains his left footedness and emotional style, which is why I say he needs the right temperament to balance it out. It could also explain his occasional impulsiveness when the team descends to chaos.

Anyways, it should be further investigated by neuroscientists. Wenger was a left side dominant coach in attacking dynamics. Cole - Pires - Henry. Monreal - Xhaka - Alexis- Özil. It directs his thinking.

The bloke has carried the entire midfield for 3 years and the 'fans' repay him with death threats against his wife and kids. They think they're victims because he didn't apologise for telling them to fuck off. He would be at Bayern had he left in summer. https://twitter.com/FootballSwissEN/status/1188526698796597251?s=19