Arsenal: 5 Players who will be key for Mikel Arteta’s quest for revival
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With North London rivals Tottenham standing on top of the Premier League pile, and Arsenal absolutely rock bottom on the 20th position, the Gunners faithful are having the worst time as the fans of the club. Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have lost all of their opening three fixtures that too without scoring a single goal, adding salt to the wound. Arsenal tasted a 2-0 defeat against Brentford in the opening weekend, followed by another 2-0 London derby defeat at home against Chelsea and then were thrashed 5-0 by Manchester City, making it their worst start to a season after 67 years.
Although it looks like a crisis, actually, it is not. Arsenal have been unlucky with injuries and Covid-19 cases in the squad and they still have a decent young squad, who won the FA Cup just a year back, to turn things around for Arteta. Arsenal have spent the highest money this summer, and also have got good acquisitions for the squad. However, top four looks farfetched. But, anywhere in the other European places would be a good season for them.
Let us look at five players who could be pivotal in Arteta’s plans for the ongoing season.
5. Ben White
Arsenal signed Ben White for a whooping amount of £50m to lure him away from Brighton earlier in the window. While many would frown upon this signing, Arteta knows what he gets from White for the team and how he develops Arsenal’s upcoming English core. White’s versatility in the backline is underrated as he can sometimes slot in as right back too, apart from his favored center back role.
White first broke through into the scene when he was in Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds team that won promotion back into the top flight. Adding to it, White enjoyed a brilliant debut Premier League season with Brighton which also helped him get the England call-up for the EURO 2020.
4. Thomas Partey
Arsenal, over the years, have always missed a proper sitter in the midfield. Many came and went, but nobody has been able to be the anchor man in the middle. To solve that problem, Thomas Partey was signed by Arsenal on the deadline day of the last summer window. Undoubtedly one of the best at that time, it was supposed to be a signing of the season from their side.
Despite Partey delivering a Man of the Match performance on his debut against Manchester United, Partey could not make his name due to a lot of injury issues. But this time, once he is fit, he would be like a new signing to Arteta as his engine like attitude and his brilliant reading of the game can help the Arsenal midfield stabilize.
3. Emile Smith Rowe
Many have doubted Arsenal’s decision to give Emile Smith Rowe the No.10 kit, but for an academy prodigy, it is a weapon to boost their confidence and work ethic. Smith Rowe mainly operates as a classic playmaker or the well known “No.10” role, but can also play as a Boc-to-Box midfielder in a double pivot setup.
Right from the moment Smith Rowe broke into the starting line-up for Arteta in December, it has been hard to leave him out as he has not only gotten Arsenal crucial goals, but also has driven the team forward with his positive attitude. He is known for his ability to hunt spaces in defenses.
2. Kieran Tierney
Since departing Celtic and arriving in North London for a £25m deal, Kieran Tierney has not only been a star for Arteta, but has also quickly become a household name for the fans. The 24-year-old signed a new long-term deal with the club meaning that he will be one of the key men moving forward.
What special about Tierney is that he is no regular player, he is a never-stopping machine that creates chances every time he attacks. Apart from that, Tierney possesses leadership mentality, something the team is missing currently, and it would be the perfect time for Tierney to make his name as a leader.
1. Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka is definitely the face of the club for the ongoing decade. Not only Arsenal, Saka is a pivotal piece in the England National team jigsaw too. His performances from the recent seasons, and his EURO 2020 showing, would surely tag him as the next big thing to come from the Arsenal academy. At just 19 years, Saka became the youngest starter in a EURO game after Wayne Rooney.
The most eye-catching thing about Saka is how versatile he is. Despite being a natural attacker, he has given massive performances as a left back, and a midfielder too. Saka got his first Arsenal cap under Emery, and has 62 appearances to his name ever since. His on-ball ability, coupled with his poacher’s attitude in the box, makes him the most important part of Arteta’s plan.
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Abhinav Saikia
(53 Articles Published)