Man of the moment out injured
Having scraped a last-minute draw at home to lowly Fulham, Arsenal face Everton this Friday with a won now essential to stay in the race for Europa League qualification next season. Arteta will need to block out the European Super League news, which is everywhere and try to focus his squad on the games ahead.
It may be that smart person would use their Pinnacle VIP Code to bet on Arsenal qualifying for Europe via winning the Europa League but whichever the route Arteta will be forced to utilise his whole squad. More so than ever with his captain fighting malaria and now Lacazette also seemingly out with a hamstring injury. The absence of the French striker is even more depressing as his form of late has led many to believe he might earn a new contract. Below is a quick guide to other Arsenal squad members, either at the club or elsewhere who might be playing for their futures:
Alexandre Lacazette – Almost by dint of the fact that Aubameyang signed an extension last summer and the French striker had not been offered one, most of us to believed that with a year to go on his current deal, the club would look to cash in. Recent form, leadership and goals might well be giving the hierarchy pause for thought. In addition, with Martinelli and not seemingly Balogun pushing on, Lacazette’s experience might be invaluable.
William Saliba – The young Frenchman is earning rave reviews in Ligue 1 which is hugely positive, although I know frustrating for many who felt he should be playing in red and white. He is being mentioned in dispatches and with the manager far from settled on Holding or Luiz in the right centre back berth, must give Saliba real hope, assuming he still want to succeed for Arsenal.
Calum Chambers – What a renaissance for the English defender, who for so long after his ACL lay off seemed on the peripheral of the squad. He certainly seemed out of favour as a centre back and was at best a third option at right back but his recent superb displays at right back, including some fabulous over lapping play, have altered many perspectives. He seemed to be an exception for those returning from such an injury, in that whilst Bellerin has lost a yard of pace, Chamber has gained one.
Chambers – Surprise package
David Luiz – His fabulous form before his injury and his influence on the dressing room had given rise to talk of a new one-year deal. Sadly, for the Brazilian, the form of Holding, along with the two players above may mean the veteran is not required. Will he get another chance to prove his worth?
Eddie Nketiah – Arteta had given the England U21 skipper and record scorer considerable opportunities, often ahead his previously mentioned more senior colleague. However, that was more last season am dearly in this campaign. For much of season Nketiah has been living off scraps of game time. For strikers, more than in other positions, confidence and continuity are key and whilst he may gain more minutes between now and May with other options sidelined, I am not convinced he will earn an Arsenal future. I also feel he need to play in a 442, which will not happen under Arteta
Eddie has a chance to play
Mohamed Elneny – The likeable midfielder has had something of an Arsenal renaissance in 20/21 and obviously, whilst not often a first-choice starter, has the faith of his manager. The player is happy to stay and be a bit part player, so the decision for the club, is whether they want Elneny, as the fourth-choice central midfielder, assuming we sign a new starter, such as Bissouma, or whether to give that honour to and Arsenal homegrown.
Willock/Maitland-Niles – For number 7, I am cheating and bracketing our 2 on loan English Midfielders but there is logic in my ruse. Given what I have said above about Elneny and the fact that the club will need homegrown numbers in the squad for 21/22 I suspect one of the 2 loanees, both playing regularly for Newcastle, in the case of Willock and WBA for Maitland- Niles will be retained. If it is Partey, a new signing and Xhaka then Willock as the more box to box central midfielder, offers more of a variation than Maitland-Niles. The latter is older and with the England caps will command a good fee to assist Edu and Arteta strengthen this summer.
So, there you have it. Honourable mentioned to Ceballos, who I don’t truly believe is playing for a permanent move and Reiss Nelson, who I do not believe will even get a chance to play for his future.
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