3 players that need to impress Mikel Arteta against FC Zurich

Arsenal’s presence in the 2022/23 Europa League has opened up opportunities for fringe players to earn regular minutes that they perhaps wouldn’t have got had the Gunners qualified for Europe’s premier club competition.

Despite tasting defeat away at a handy PSV Eindhoven side on Matchday 5, Arsenal’s group stage campaign thus far has been a success. However, they will likely have to beat FC Zurich on Matchday 6 to top Group A and progress straight into the round of 16.

We’ve seen Mikel Arteta build his Europa League XIs around a core group of players, but several first-team players have also been called upon through five games thus far.

Despite Arsenal’s success in this competition, it’s fair to say that the vast majority of the fringe players have struggled to endear themselves to the boss. Sure, there’s been bright cameos and performances here and there, but nothing to suggest that anyone should be playing regularly for Arteta’s strongest XI at the weekend.

With just one group game remaining, this will a huge opportunity for the Europa League core to impress as their opportunities to start matches will come few and far between following the group stage’s conclusion.

3 players that need to impress Mikel Arteta against FC Zurich

Here are three players, in particular, that need to impress Arteta against FC Zurich.

1. Sambi Lokonga

Frustrated by his lack of minutes last season, Lokonga is one of five players to start all five of Arsenal’s Europa League group games and he’s a sure bet to retain his place against FC Zurich.

Statistically, the Belgian has impressed in this competition. He boasts the highest pass completion in the Arsenal squad (92.5%) and has completed the second-most progressive passes per 90 minutes (6.98). However, the eye test would suggest that Lokonga hasn’t yet done enough to suggest he can compete with Thomas Partey for a starting berth in the first team.

The 23-year-old registered just 17 Premier League minutes in October and he hasn’t made an appearance in the league since the North London derby triumph.

Arteta challenged Lokonga ahead of the trip to Eindhoven to improve his performances, but he struggled against PSV last week and is in desperate need of a convincing showing against FC Zurich.

I’m not convinced that he’s a #6.

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