Arsene Wenger says that Granit Xhaka is neither a defensive midfielder or a box to box player, but more a deep-lying playmaker.

The Swiss international received his manager’s backing yesterday, but has yet to firmly establish himself as part of the team this season.

Asked if Xhaka was taking time to adapt, Wenger said, “Yes, but that is part of the job.

“People want you to buy players but when you buy them we only have 11 spaces and not 22, and they feel sorry for the 11 who do not play. You want them to compete and convince you that they can get in the team.”

And on what role he might play, the boss continued.

“Granit is more a deep playmaker I think than a box-to-box player,” he said. “He does not get in the final third of the opposition half a lot. He is more a guy who has a fantastic pass to play through the lines.

“He gets the ball from the defenders and finds the high midfield. His strength is what we call the ‘moderate-value pass’ – the passes that come from deep midfield to high midfield.”

That got me imagining a convention of superheroes.

“What is your strength?”

Superman: I’m really fast and strong and indestructible and shit.

Spiderman: Shooting webs and flying between buildings and that.

Hulk: SMASH.

Wonderwoman: Got this awesome shield and stuff.

Granit Xhaka: The moderate-value pass.

Everyone: Ooooooooooooooooohhhhhh!!