3 players that need more minutes as Arsenal continue title push

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta speaks to his playes during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 15, 2023. - - 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 Glyn KIRK / 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 GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta speaks to his playes during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 15, 2023. - - 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 Glyn KIRK / 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 GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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2. Reiss Nelson

Reiss Nelson showed promise before picking up an injury over Christmas. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Reiss Nelson showed promise before picking up an injury over Christmas. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) /

To say Reiss Nelson has had a tumultuous time at Arsenal would be an understatement. Bursting onto the scene years ago as a pacey, physically strong and technically gifted winger, injuries and inopportune player transfers have hampered his minutes.

Nelson impressed in pre-season, showing exactly why he might force his way into Arteta’s thinking during this year’s campaign. As has been Nelson’s story thus far, after a few bright games, injury struck. The youngster has slowly been working his way back to full fitness and was on the bench against Aston Villa.

His appearance on the bench served as a reminder of another option that might be needed as fixtures get congested. Add to that the ongoing issues on the left-hand side, the targeting and subsequent fatigue of Bukayo Saka and Nelson’s ability to play anywhere along the front line and it is clear why Nelson must be reintegrated into the squad as soon as possible.

Europa League draws ever closer and, depending on the draw, the Hale End graduate could get minutes soon. An encouraging prospect indeed.

Continued on the next slide…