Arsenal: 5 bold predictions for squad rebuild

3. Matteo Guendouzi becomes the central midfielder

Under Unai Emery, Matteo Guendouzi was the first central midfielder on every team sheet. The Frenchman started every Premier League match that Emery was in charge for this season. He played all 90 minutes in all but one.

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Since Arteta arrived, however, Guendouzi saw his playing time reduce, so much so that he slipped behind Granit Xhaka, Dani Ceballos, and Lucas Torreira in the defensive midfield pecking order. His high-energy, slightly unhinged but extremely busy style, which Emery actively encouraged, does not suit the more tactically stringent and detailed Arteta.

However, the weaknesses that Guendouzi does have are teachable. He can learn, improve, adopt his game to suit Arteta’s style. In contrast, Xhaka’s over-dependence on his left foot, his limited athleticism, and vulnerability when pressed are issues that cannot be taught away. Similarly, Torreira’s passing can only be improved so much; Ceballos’ lack of speed is what it is.

Guendouzi has a higher ceiling than all of these options, and by some distance. In fact, he has a higher ceiling than most players in the Premier League. As long as he is willing to work under the restraints that Arteta implements, that talent, eventually, will win out.