Arsenal: 4 players who need to improve this season

We’re over a quarter of the season down, and after only three matches had been and gone, Arsenal couldn’t be much happier with where they find themselves now as the third international break is underway.

Sitting rock bottom of the Premier League table with Spurs, albeit fortuitously, right at the top was one of the lowest points supporters will have faced in many a year.

Arsenal have taken us through all the emotions so far this season, from the soaring heights of a North London Derby win to the despairing lows of having one shot and 19% possession away at Manchester City.

That’s quite the contrast of emotions.

4 players who need to improve for Arsenal under Mikel Arteta when the Premier League resumes after the international break

It’s also been a contrast of emotions for much of the squad. One can never wax lyrical enough about the summer signings who’ve joined the club and made a considerable impact, banishing their ‘backup’ tags and justifying their one-time questionable purchases.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may not be in his peak anymore but he has shown a new string to his bow with outstanding work rate and on-field leadership unlike that seen previously under Mikel Arteta. Thomas Partey has looked back to his best with some excellent outings in midfield, while Alexandre Lacazette has shown his fighting spirit to wrestle his way back into the team.

Lots of positives, but not all positives.

There are some players who will return from the international break with a point to prove. Amid some encouraging outings from many of the squad, others haven’t quite hit the mark yet and when their chances come after the break there is room for improvement.

1. Martin Odegaard

Across all six summer acquisitions, if they were being ranked from most to least effective then Martin Odegaard would earn the unfortunate spot at the bottom of that pile.

Looking impressive in the home win over Norwich and then following that up with a match winning goal against Burnley the following week signaled the start of a fruitful spell in north London.

Continuing that trend with his best outing for the club since signing permanently in the 3-1 win over Tottenham, the £30m parted with to bring him to Arsenal looked like money well spent already. And, despite his dip in form, it still is.

Tough outings away at Brighton and at home to Crystal Palace set Odegaard back and he’s been unable to break his way back into the team since given the form of Lacazette.

The Frenchman will not be a regular fixture in the starting lineups all season long as opposition teams come to terms with the Gunners’ setup, and when Odegaard is reinstated he has to work on imposing himself on games in the way he’s capable of. His touch has abandoned him of late but when he’s on the pitch everyone in red and white is in play; that’s what he brings to this team.

That’s all been lacking of late. However, seeing the fire in his belly against Watford indicates that his best form isn’t far away.

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2. Kieran Tierney

Football fans have short memories and as soon as the flavour of the month comes around, whether it’s Houssem Aouar or a player making an impact early on in his career, what or who came before them is easily forgotten.

Nuno Tavares’ first outings for Arsenal in the Premier League brought upon that very response. Out of nowhere he was the best thing since sliced bread and Kieran Tierney was a bench warmer. It was a load of nonsense.

However, one performance became two, which then became three, and rewarding players on their form is what meritocracy is all about. It’s hard not to make some argument for Nuno to be keeping his place in the Arsenal team even if one still believes it’s Tierney’s spot when he’s fit.

The Scot has ground to make up in that regard, of that there is no doubt.

This season he’s struggled playing as advanced as he has which has impacted his influence in matches. Where he receives the ball might sound frivolous, but it’s played a big role in his form. Most of his passes are backwards, there isn’t those exciting bursts beyond his man and his distribution, both short and from crosses, is lacking its usual punch.

A combination of Arsenal, and Tierney, not fully finding their groove as well as the systematic issues that followed have all played their part in his dip in form. More is needed from the 24-year-old and nobody will know that more than the man himself.

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3. Gabriel Martinelli

Gabriel Martinelli’s dad spoke out recently to dispel any notion of the Brazilian leaving on loan in the upcoming January window, talk which has unsurprisingly emerged given the lack of minutes for the youngster this season.

"“No chance of him going to Corinthians or any other Brazilian club,” João Martinelli said. “Since he came back from an injury, he’s been playing a lot less than he’d have liked. There have even been some proposals from Europe, but Arsenal have already warned that they’ll not release him.” “People like him a lot. Not only for what he plays, but also for his dedication. Martinelli is almost always the first to arrive for training and the last to leave.”"

He absolutely can’t leave in January with two forwards departing for AFCON, and by the time that window opens he could have accrued his fair share of minutes in the Premier League. When the games come around every three days his presence will be greatly needed.

And when it does, he needs to be doing better.

Martinelli is guilty of not getting his head up enough. This spell without regular playing time is having an impact on his performances in a very noticeable way: he is trying too hard to make an impression, taking shots when he shouldn’t and shunning sensible passing options.

But he’s also only 20 years old. The burning desire to be on the scoresheet is natural for someone in his position, and simplifying his game will see him return to the levels he can hit. When his chances come (which they will), he’s got to take them.

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4. Nicolas Pepe

Is there any hope left for Nicolas Pepe? Honest answer, probably not. At least not at Arsenal.

But while he’s here he is a Gooner and if he is to make the impact the team needs him to make between now and the end of the season then he has to improve.

In what department? Quite a few. Primarily he has to work on his technical security. The joke is that when Pepe plays the right corner is where the ball goes to die. That’s obviously blown out of proportion but seeing how much better Bukayo Saka is at keeping hold of possession down that flank in comparison to Pepe shows how far off he is.

This season has seen him collect the ball closer towards the halfway line, when he needs to be in and around the penalty area where one of his better traits, shooting, can come to the fore.

Overall he remains an infuriating player to watch who can just as easily trip over his own feet as he can pick out the top corner from 25 yards. That inconsistency will never disappear. It’s impossible to see it suddenly vanishing.

Therefore, if there is one demand to make of Pepe, it’s that he gets involved in the goals and assists more than he is currently to at least drown out the noise of the frustration. If he is adding those contributions then all of the inadequacies he has will be less prominent.

Up until AFCON he is a player that will be used plenty. He has to do something with those minutes.