Arsenal vs Hibernian: 3 fairly meaningless pre-season talking points

Arsenal took on Hibernian for the first game of their pre-season campaign and what better way to start than with some mostly meaningless takeaways from the clash?

Mikel Arteta opted to hand full non-competitive first team debuts to two players for the Easter Road meeting with Arthur Okonkwo starting in goal and Harry Clarke lining up in central defence alongside Pablo Mari.

There were also starts for Sead Kolasinac and Willian, but no appearance in the squad for new signing Nuno Tavares who clearly isn’t at the fitness levels yet to earn his first Arsenal minutes.

Rob Holding and Calum Chambers, who had reported for pre-season training, also didn’t feature and weren’t in any of the training pictures revealed in the build-up. Elsewhere there were also the first inclusions in a matchday squad for Omari Hutchinson, Omar Rekik and Jack Henry-Francis.

Arsenal vs Hibernian: 3 fairly meaningless pre-season talking points as Mikel Arteta’s side fall to 2-1 defeat at Easter Road

The home side took the lead after 21 minutes when Cedric’s extremely uncomfortable back pass to Arthur Okonkwo was flapped at by the 19-year-old. Okonkwo initially went to collect the ball before realising it wasn’t a headed pass and proceeded to get himself in an almighty muddle, air-kicking the pass and leaving Martin Boyle with a simple tap-in.

Reiss Nelson came closest for the Gunners with a effort that was parried away by Matt Macey, while Hibs also struck the post following a neat counter-attack.

Only Mohamed Elneny, Pablo Mari, Sead Kolasinac and Cedric Soares kept their places after half-time and one of the subs, Nicolas Pepe, struck the crossbar shortly after the restart.

Arsenal dominated possession from thereon in and came close once more when Thomas Partey smacked the post with a free-kick, only for Hibs to put breathing space between themselves and their visitors after Daniel MacKay nodded home from a corner. Should have been flagged for offside, but so what.

Pepe then missed a penalty before Emile Smith Rowe finished at the back post for a goal, it’s fair to say, was coming. Arsenal pushed but it finished 2-1.

1. Arthur Okonkwo Shows His Nerves on Debut

A first non-competitive senior debut for Okonkwo couldn’t really have gone much worse. But it really doesn’t matter. No need for Okonkwoe. He set himself up for an evening of jitteriness having let a simple cross squirm through his hands, which undoubtedly played a part in his error for the opener.

There was also some uncertainty with his delivery as he rolled the ball out straight to an opposition player without giving his teammate a call.

This is also pre-season, and his debut appearance alongside first team players. Matches such as these are designed to help players not only build fitness, but also confidence and comfort ahead of the coming campaign.

Only 19 years old, the mistakes and nerves can simply be put down to that. Throughout his time with the youth sides errors were few and far between and the club wouldn’t have placed so much faith in him to jump him up into the senior setup if those mistakes were commonplace.

Emi Martinez was at Arsenal for ten years and mostly dreadful for nine of them. Okonkwo getting this out of his system early will do him good. He’ll learn. No need to look deeply into his performance. It’s his first game as a senior Arsenal player.

2. Players Playing for Their Futures and Transfer Moves

For Harry Clarke in defence it’s very likely he’ll be moving out on loan again after an impressive spell with Oldham last season but for many of the first team players their futures look destined to be away from north London.

Eddie Nketiah was guilty of a glaring miss in the opening stages that Arteta will be hoping Patrick Vieira or David Moyes weren’t paying attention to, in what was an otherwise lively first half outing for the striker.

To his side Nelson showed glimpses of his technical ability and is also set for a move elsewhere, either on loan or otherwise, and in midfield Ainsley Maitland-Niles was given another crack of the central whip, which while only an insignificant 45 minutes against Hibernian, could be kept throughout pre-season to entice bidders.

Looking at the team that lined up, only Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will be starting Premier League matches next season. Well, it’s hoped so, as without any midfielders Mohamed Elneny could well be starting out alongside Thomas Partey.

Kolasinac is another who will be moved on and, in truth, was probably Arsenal’s best player in the first half before he started blowing. Played further forward than Maitland-Niles or Willian. The team that came out for the second half was closer to what Arsenal will look like come Brentford on the opening day.

3. All Aboard the Folarin Balogun Hype Train

Is it ‘fairly meaningless’ that we’re after? Then how about giving a judgement of a player after 45 minutes against the side that finished third in the Scottish Premiership last season?

Let’s give it a crack.

Balogun has many qualities to admire and despite the small sample sizes – at least in first team football – all the signs are Arsenal have a really strong talent on their hands.

It’s how he holds the ball up which is really impressive. Still only 19 years of age, he has excellent strength in the duels and can shrug off defenders relatively effortlessly, showing the composure to then lay the ball off and run into space.

Those sequences are very important since generally with Lacazette he does the former effectively but is hesitant to make the important next step. That movement and control is still raw but to have that as an option up front next season should anything happen to Lacazette is more than useful.

There is obviously still a long way for him to go in his development but his composure is worth mentioning. He isn’t afraid to take a shot off either, always seeking shooting opportunities despite those he’s playing alongside, and that confidence will serve him well on the occasions he he gets a chance.