Arsenal: One big task for the upcoming match against Qarabag

Arsenal’s fixture list is piling up, and they should take any breather they can get. Qarabag is that, but the task at hand is more important than that.

Arsenal don’t have an easy run ahead in December. We got some of the tougher matches out of the way already, but we still have another match-up with Tottenham peaking around on the 19th, and then a trip to Anfield on the 29th, in a match that could be the end of Liverpool’s potential undefeated season.

But first, we have Qarabag in a match that means nothing. Arsenal have already won the group and Qarabag can’t progress out of the group, which will mean that the Gunners can take a big deep breath and not concern themselves with a result.

Of course, we still want to see the unbeaten run stretch to 22, but if I can invoke Bernd Leno’s words again, for now, it’s just a number. These senior players need a breather and they can find one here.

That said, there is another big task at hand for this match. And while it isn’t a task that can necessarily be accomplished all in one place, it can certainly be the start of something.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

This match should be nearly completely populated by youth players. There is no reason any senior team player, barring maybe Mohamed Elneny and Petr Cech, should be anywhere near this match. Instead, expect the likes of Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe and Zech Medley to be playing a full match.

Which is where the task comes about. This may be the last “free” match of the season, which means it’s the last chance to get a really good taste for what youngsters are ready for a bigger role with the first team and which ones still need time.

Because we could really use a compliment of youth players ready to make an impact. In fact, the three players I mentioned – Nketiah, Smith Rowe and Medley – could solve three budding problems right here and now if they could only be ready for a bigger role.

Now, are we going to know just because they perform well against Qarabag if they are going to be ready or not? Of course not. But it can start to lay the groundwork for the bigger picture.

Medley in particular could become such a useful component of this December fixture list if he can prove conclusive enough in his dealings against Qarabag. We need the defensive help, that much is certain.