Arsenal: Why current squad is reason for excitement under Mikel Arteta

The Arsenal squad has been heavily criticised this season. But under the tutelage of Mikel Arteta, there is major reason to be excited. Here’s why.

The Arsenal squad has largely been a major issue that the club has been unable to rectify. Arsene Wenger’s loyalty to his players neglected the need to invest in future contributors, Unai Emery was unable to build on the talent that he was given, and now Mikel Arteta is hamstrung by the lack of elite players he has available to him.

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However, while all these shortcomings are true and applicable, that does not mean that the current squad is entirely lacking and uninspiring in its makeup. In fact, there is very good reason to be extremely excited about the players that Arsenal currently have in the team.

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The primary reason for such hope and optimism, which some may call foolish given the club presently flounders in mid-table and is essentially out of a top-four race that is slower than ever, is the youth, depth, variety and high-potential that the squad features.

While the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil, David Luiz and Sokratis — all of which are the wrong side of 30 — are all largely starting and disappointing, those that are coming to challenge them for starting positions are young, improving, and illustrating that they possess talent to take them far and above their predecessors.

Take the front three positions, where the Arsenal starting XI is perhaps at its strongest with Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe. The next in line to feature in those positions are Gabriel Martinelli, 18, Bukayo Saka, 18, Eddie Nketiah, 20, and Reiss Nelson, 20. All four are pushing hard for greater roles, even at their youthful ages.

And this is the same throughout the squad. In central midfield, Matteo Guendouzi, 20, and Joe Willock, 20, are coming through, Rob Holding, 24, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, 22, Calum Chambers, 25, and eventually William Saliba, 18, are challenging for future roles in the back four and defensive midfield. Plus, Emile Smith Rowe, 19, and Dinos Mavropanos, 21, will return from their loan spells hopeful of more first-team opportunities.

This is just the players that aren’t currently considered starters. Even when every player is fit, there are some in the starting XI that are still young and improving. Kieran Tierney is only 22, Pepe is only 24, Lucas Torreira is 24, and Hector Bellerin, despite seemingly being around for a decade, is still only 24.

All this is to say is that the Arsenal squad is stocked full of young and improving talent that is either still in their midst of discovery and development or beginning approach the prime years. The high-end quality might be missing, and that must be addressed in the transfer market, but the players to build upon are most certainly already at the club.

So yes, Arteta has a tough hand that he must deal with, and yes, the Arsenal squad does not investment this summer to challenge for the top four and beyond, but there is also reason to be excited about the future of the team because of the personnel already at the club.