ST ALBANS, ENGLAND - JULY 25: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal during a training session at London Colney on July 25, 2016 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Granit Xhaka was only named on the bench for Arsenal’s clash with Chelsea. (Getty Images)

Arsene Wenger claims that ‘team balance’ is the main reason behind his decision to bench Granit Xhaka for Arsenal’s clash with Chelsea.

The Gunners paid £35 million for the Switzerland international in May and Wenger has been under pressure from supporters to play their marquee summer signing.

Xhaka has only started two Premier League games so far, while he was also restricted to a second-half cameo in the 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League earlier this month.

HULL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 17: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal celebrates scoring his sides first goal with team mates during the Premier League match between Hull City and Arsenal at KCOM Stadium on September 17, 2016 in Hull, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
Granit Xhaka has only started twice in the Premier League so far this term. (Getty Images)

Xhaka has scored stunning long-range goals in his last two appearances against Hull City and Nottingham Forest, but despite impressing in Tuesday’s 4-0 win in the EFL Cup, he was relegated back to the bench for Saturday evening’s fixture against Chelsea.

‘Look, we have done well at Hull, the team had a good balance, overall I’m spoilt for choice at the moment because there are not many injuries,’ Wenger told BT Sport.

‘The team did very well midweek [against Nottingham Forest], it’s time to be consistent.’

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