Arsenal: 5 key players vs Norwich City in a new new era

3. Matteo Guendouzi

The midfield is going to be a huge question mark for Ljungberg, as it was for Unai Emery. Without Dani Ceballos, the new manager will have five guys to choose from to fill three potential roles, again, depending on formation. He’s got Joe Willock, Lucas Torreira, Granit Xhaka, Mesut Ozil and the main man Matteo Guendouzi.

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While I do believe that Ljungberg will confidently call on Xhaka, as Wenger and Emery did as well, I’m also confident enough in Xhaka to do his part and suffer the criticism of those that don’t like the part that he plays.

Which leaves Guendouzi to be the difference maker, as he has been so often in recent matches.

The young Frenchman is starting to encompass every piece of a midfielder, from the attack, to creation, to defense, to ball control. He does it all. And because he does it all, there can be no questioning who the most important midfielder is in this set-up, and I can only hope that the eagerness to impress a new boss, even though it’s a new boss he’d be familiar with, makes him that much better.

And, if not, we always have Granit Xhaka.

No. 2 is next.