In a week where we've had time to digest the news of Mikel Arteta's appointment and seen the civil war amongst Arsenal fans and their infamous "Fan TV channel" continue, Christmas brings a bit of time for calm. A time to do what most Arsenal fans have been doing this week; relaxing, reading about the 26 new signings we'll make in January and watching every official and unofficial video of training sessions run by the new boss.
But the question is, what players will see the benefit of our former captain's managerial insight, and which will be shipped out? In this post, I will do my best to discuss which players will lose and profit from Mikel Arteta:
Hale End boys -
Arteta may not qualify as an Arsenal legend, but he knows the club from top to bottom, and he feels the club values. Which is why the Hale End academy boys will benefit. Arsenal have been been brought up on the idea of playing young players, and now its not even a case of having to to fulfill club tradition - they're all really good. Arteta inherits a squad containing Nelson, Smith-Rowe, Willock, Maitland-Niles, Saka - all of which have the potential to be in the first team. Having Freddie Ljungberg stay on will do them no harm either.
Hector Bellerin -
A player Mikel knows well from his final couple of playing years, Hector Bellerin is sure to benefit from his compatriot taking the top job. Arteta oversaw Bellerin's graduation to the first team and will see him as a key component in the new era. Dare I say the words again, but possibly even captain material...
Rob Holding and Calum Chambers -
"I want to see passion, commitment, I want to see that want to play for this football club" - Just some of the very basic, but seemingly very alien ideas Arteta set out in his early press conference. The two English centre backs can never be accused of not caring or giving 100% and while Unai Emery persisted with Sokratis and Luiz, and Freddie even gave Mustafi a game, Rob and Calum will surely see more games going forward.
Gabriel Martinelli -
I was tempted to throw him in as an honorary member of the Hale end boys, but considering after Leno and possibly Aubameyang, he's probably been our player of the season, he deserves an individual mention. Arteta has worked with the best high pressing team in the world and has got loads out of Sane, Sterling and Bernardo Silva. There is no reason he can't turn Gabriel Martinelli into a genuinely exciting world talent.
Lacazette -
Last seasons player of the year has gone to more "Le Sulk" this year as his negative looking demeanor has reflected in a poor start to 19/20. With the balance up front not quite right in a front two, and Martinelli firmly in everyone's good books, and an Arsenal fans base more than happy to bin players that aren't up for the fight, Laca might find himself on the move.
Sead Kolasinac-
Napoli and Roma already linked to the big Bosnian, who's Arsenal career has never quite taken flight. I have a feeling that given the Kieran Tierney injury situation, Arteta will wait until the summer and may then look to cash in.
Granit Xhaka -
Leaving the arguments regarding the captaincy and his behaviour out of the equation, I'm not sure Xhaka does what Arteta wants. Arguably, he sits in a position on the field that the new head coach used to occupy himself, but with varying levels of quality. He does some things well, and a fair few other things horrendously. With rumours of a move getting stronger by the day, it seems a matter of time.
Mesut Özil and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang-
The two on the list that are arguably the hardest to call. Because on their day, they're the most talented in the squad. However, our captain has been non existent at times and certainly doesn't strike as a leader. And Mesut's decline in quality output is now parallel to his work rate, which was epitomised clearly when Kevin De Bruyne came to the Emirates to show Özil what a top class number 10 can do. Both on huge wages, both talented, but both over 30 with reported attitude problems. I can't see them lasting past the summer.
The next few months will be interesting. Our spoilt prima donnas are about to be tested for the first time in years. It'll be fascinating to see who can pass those tests.
Up the Arsenal
@joehurd16
well said. good read
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