Arsenal vs Fulham: 5 key players in massive bounceback

Arsenal take another short break into the Fulham match to kick off 2019. Here are five guys needed to ensure that we don’t relapse.

Arsenal are still reeling from the debilitating 5-1 loss to Liverpool, but turning over a new calendar year has a way of offering a fresh perspective on life, and that is what I expect to see from our beaten and battered 2018 Gunners as they turn over a new leaf into 2019.

Not a lot went right against Liverpool, but when you start trying to hand out blame, try to reel yourself in. As ugly as it was, Unai Emery has been handcuffed by ridiculous amounts of injuries, as well as being hampered by gobs of Wenger players.

This is all part of the process, and if you don’t trust it, you’ll drive yourself mad.

That said, while trusting the process, also trust that Emery and the troops will be back out in full flight against Fulham, ready to take the fight to the opposition and really do something with their opportunity to lash out against inferior opposition at the Emirates.

It probably won’t look easy at times, but if the club can build some confidence early, you may start to see them strutting by full time. However, in order for that to happen, we first have to ensure that the players that we need to play well actually do play well. So let’s talk about them, starting at No. 5.

5. Granit Xhaka

An (unsurprising) bright spot against Liverpool, Xhaka defended quite well, he was fired up that the defense behind him was playing like a bunch of six year olds, and he looked genuinely upset that the team was crumbling. We haven’t seen him get that mad in awhile.

The best way to harness your anger is to get back out there on the pitch and really do something about it. And while Xhaka isn’t often a high-impact player, as he’s more of a steady controller, there have been matches where his presence is more than a given, it’s a difference maker.

This could be one of those matches. Let him get dug in and his ability will do the rest.

Let’s get audacious at No. 4.