Arsenal: 3 established stars to watch during pre-season

The 2020/21 season for Arsenal was marred by lack of quality, cohesion and woeful underperformance. There were very few positives to take from the campaign.

Undoubtedly, the most significant success was the ascendancy of the youngsters. Gabriel Martinelli contributed (albeit much less than expected) with energy and drive when called upon; Bukayo Saka went from strength to strength, showcasing his remarkable talent in every position; and Emile Smith Rowe burst onto the scene and hasn’t looked back since.

But there are limits to how much these youngsters can contribute. They’re still growing, developing and learning. They will undoubtedly make mistakes in the future. These mistakes can, however, be mitigated by surrounding them with experienced starters.

While the senior crop last year put in tepid appearances, it is crucial that they raise their level this coming season, especially with potential incomings.

Arsenal: 3 established stars to watch during pre-season as Mikel Arteta gets to work on his team amid summer transfer market

Unfortunately, preparations this summer have already been hit with disruption. Planning to go out and face Inter and one of Everton or Millonarios, a COVID-19 hit camp has forced Arsenal to stay in north London.

This calibre of opposition would have been key ahead of the opening Premier League outing of the season against Brentford in three weeks, with the club instead looking to arrange some emergency behind-closed-doors friendlies. The Amazon cameras weren’t even rolling!

Nevertheless, there are three established players to watch during an especially important pre-season, whoever the Gunners end up playing next.

3. Thomas Partey

Thomas Partey’s last season was a mixed bag. Delicate line-breaking passes were dispersed between lackluster showings and unnecessary fouls. When in form, Partey is levels above any other Arsenal midfielder and most midfielders in the Premier League. Unfortunately for the Ghanaian, he simply did not hit top form that often last season.

A number of factors led to this: the injury troubles, adjustment to the division and the failure of the team as a whole are just a few of the reasons for mitigation. This season, however, he will be hoping to get off on the right foot. He has no excuse anymore. This current pre-season will be key in Partey regaining and keeping full fitness and the additional breaks between games due to Arsenal’s absence from European football should also help on this front.

In addition to fitness, this pre-season will allow Arsenal to truly gauge what type of player Partey is, what he can bring to the table and what partner would suit him best.

At times last season, it seemed like he was trying to do too much. A more defined role would allow him to be confident and assured about his responsibilities and how to carry them out. So much will be revealed once Mikel Arteta sources his ideal midfield partner.

Already thus far, Partey has shown greater accuracy in his forward passes along with more precise shooting. Given Arsenal’s lethargy in moving the ball and the lack of goals from midfield, these skills and Partey’s improvement in them will be important as the team edges closer to the start date of the new season.