Arsenal: 4 players who still have a big role to play this season

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta gestures from the side-lines during the English League Cup third round football match between Arsenal and AFC Wimbledon at the Emirates Stadium in London on September 22, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

2 of 4

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 22: Eddie Nketiah celebrates with Cedric Soares of Arsenal after scoring their team’s third goal during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and AFC Wimbledon at Emirates Stadium on September 22, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

2. Eddie Nketiah

The situation with Folarin Balogun hasn’t been dealt with in the best manner. Nobody is disputing at this stage that he should have left on loan.

With Eddie Nketiah staying his opportunities are even more limited, as witnessed when he was selected on the bench against AFC Wimbledon with the departing 23-year-old getting the nod in the starting lineup.

While he may have started on the opening day against Brentford, it’s fair to say that were Nketiah fit he would have been chosen to lead the line instead of his teammate.

And that doesn’t look like changing for future matches this season. In instances where Aubameyang is rested it will be Lacazette at centre-forward, with Nketiah’s relative comfort out wide and greater top-level experience seeing him favoured by Arteta.

Into the January period when the captain departs with Gabon, the starting role in the team is likely to be Lacazette with Nketiah selected over Balogun on the bench. That could be rubber stamped if Flo is sent out on loan during the winter, or pushed on further if Lacazette is surprisingly moved on.

It’s not to everyone’s taste, no matter how well Nketiah trains: Balogun is staying at Arsenal and Nketiah isn’t. At what point does talent get trusted? Regardless of one’s viewpoint, the former Chelsea youngster is still set for a role to play this season. Strikers who score goals wouldn’t go amiss.

Continued…

Home/Arsenal News