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3. Hector Bellerin

After he returned from a hamstring injury following last year’s ACL tear, Hector Bellerin was immediately ushered into the starting XI. He never really looked fully match sharp, and it was later reported that he was playing through a groin injury that hampered his speed and crossing ability.

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So when Premier League football returned after a three-month hiatus, there was a reasonable belief that Bellerin might finally discover his best form once again. He was superb in the six months under Unai Emery before his latest knee injury, but he has not looked anywhere close to that level since. Could an extended break give him the opportunity to get fully fit?

Well, if the initial signs are anything to go by, perhaps not. Bellerin struggled against Southampton, especially in possession, completing just 61% of his passes. Only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Emiliano Martinez produced a poorer rate. He did not look especially sharp against Brighton either, getting caught out by Neal Maupay for the final goal.

Arteta may choose to drop Bellerin on Sunday, providing him with a week off. Or he may want to persist with the Spaniard, who has struggled to adapt to the inverted right-back role that Arteta’s system features. Either way, Bellerin’s form must improve.