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.

2. Nicolas Pepe

There are few players who have polarized the fanbase as much as Nicolas Pepe has. His big money move, a tumultuous time with Unai Emery and his slow and steady ongoing redemption have made it difficult to evaluate a clearly talented player.

He picked up form in the last few games of the season, scoring four goals in his last two league games, and finishing the season with 10 goals and an assist in the top-flight. It was his best overall return at the club, surpassing last season’s tally.

The vast improvements since the sending off at Leeds has been nothing short of remarkable. A greater desire to contribute, a substantial improvement in defensive commitment and a more consistent goal threat were what Arteta and the fans demanded. Pepe delivered.

Pepe’s form picked up towards the end of the 2019/2020 season as well. Dazzling performances against tough opponents Manchester City and Chelsea and more confidence from the manager seemed to indicate that things were on the up for the Ivorian. Willian’s summer move scuppered Pepe’s development and his performances. It shouldn’t have.

That signing has since proven to be nothing short of a disastrous failure, something Arteta has clocked on to, thus it be interesting whether the manager can continue to push him to perform and improve as this team develops under the watchful eye of the Spaniard.

1. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Last season was certainly one to forget for the otherwise prolific goalscorer. On-field difficulties were compounded by off-field personal issues. A disappointing campaign being capped by his marked absence from the North London derby for turning up late.

The tendrils of rumors involving Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s unhappiness extended from the dressing room. Thankfully, these disappeared as quickly as they had appeared, proving to be nothing but media gossip. The relationship between manager and captain has remained intact.

And this bond will be crucial in ensuring that Aubameyang is back to his best before the campaign gets under way. Arteta was reluctant to play the captain through the middle in the early stages of last season as he clearly wants a center-forward who can drop deep and help the team with link up play – a decision he finally waned from.

This is not Aubameyang’s strength. The Gabon international has a positive attitude due to his strong relationship with Arteta and as such, he plays wherever needed to the best of his ability. The best of his ability, however, is scoring goal after goal. He needs to be positioned majorly in between the posts, making intelligent, incisive runs behind the defense and into the box.

While Aubameyang is not clinical, he will score sooner rather than later if chances are created. His confidence and form took a nose dive last season and he hasn’t been able to break through this rut yet. He’s missed some big chances.

But there are positives to this. The main positive is that opportunities are coming his way. He’s finally being played as a striker and chances are finally coming his way. He will put them away sooner rather than later. This team’s success depends on it.