The Arsenal manager will be relying on a core group of players within his first-team squad when the new 2021/22 season gets underway against Brentford on Friday night
After almost four full transfer windows as manager/head coach, it’s safe to say this is Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal squad.
Whilst there is an argument that the Spaniard has not yet completed the major overhaul he called for at the beginning of the summer, he has either signed or offered new contracts to a large portion of the current squad.
With that in mind, it has become quite clear as to which players Arteta will rely upon next season as he aims to guide Arsenal back into Europe – whether that be the Champions League or the Europa League.
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Given there hasn’t been too much change to the Arsenal squad this summer, based on what happened last season and in the current transfer window, it all points towards Arteta already knowing at least eight players that will feature in his strongest starting XI week-in, week-out when fit and available
But after splashing out a combined £73million to sign Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Ben White so far, can any of the trio be considered part of Arteta’s core group of untouchables?
That £73m spent looks set to become £97m in the coming days as football.london understands Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign Sheffield United goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale for an initial £24m fee that could rise to £30m.
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Will that potential signing have any effect on Arteta’s core group? Well, football.london takes a look at the players the Spaniard will definitely be building around next season.
Bernd Leno
From the moment Arteta opted to sell Emiliano Martinez to Aston Villa, Bernd Leno has been Arsenal’s undisputed No.1 and that is showing no sign of changing for the time being.
This is despite the Gunners’ goalkeeping situation which has been a strange one this summer and still hasn’t been resolved.
As revealed by football.london, the German has been open to leaving the Gunners which would have left Arteta and Edu scrambling to find a new No.1 as well as a back-up ‘keeper.
But with deadline day fast approaching, it is almost certain that Leno will be staying put and one would expect him to start in between the sticks when fit and available next season.
Interestingly, some Arsenal fans have called for him to be replaced by Andre Onana this summer and whilst that seems unlikely to happen, Leno does need greater competition.
Ramsdale has been touted as a potential arrival before August 31, but he would be the understudy to Leno
Ben White
Arsenal pushed hard for Ben White this summer and the £50m price-tag would suggest that Arteta is planning to build his defence around the England international.
Early signs back up the Spaniard’s plan as White was impressive against Tottenham Hotspur in the Gunners’ final pre-season fixture last weekend.
The 23-year-old caught the eye with his passing range, dribbling ability and one particular tackle where he won the ball back inside Spurs’ own half showed he can allow Arsenal to play higher up the pitch next season.
With White likely to be the first-choice right-sided centre-back, Arteta needs to find the perfect partner and some Arsenal fans think it should be Gabriel Magalhaes.
Although, Rob Holding, Pablo Mari and Calum Chambers will have their eyes on the left-sided spot.
Kieran Tierney
The Scotland international was one of Arsenal’s standout performers in what was a difficult season last term.
A constant threat down the left-hand side, at times Kieran Tierney was a one-man attacking machine with the 2-1 north London derby win over Spurs a perfect example of what he offers down his flank.
The only concern is his fitness issues as he has missed a total of 28 games through injury, as per transfermarkt, since joining from Celtic in the summer of 2019.
Arsenal are not anywhere near as impressive without Tierney in the side as they are with him in it and have made plans to ensure the 24-year-old is available for selection more often than not.
Nuno Tavares can be the perfect back-up option for Tierney, filling in when the Scot needs a rest.
Thomas Partey
Arsenal didn’t see the best of Thomas Partey last season, but he is still the best central midfielder at the club and there are big hopes for him to establish himself as one of the best in the division.
But much like Tierney, the Ghana international just needs to steer clear of injury for him to really show what’s he’s capable of in the middle of the park.
However, he’s already suffered a minor setback following some impressive form in pre-season as an ankle injury is set to rule him out of the first two games of the season.
Granit Xhaka
All summer there was talk of Arsenal being in the market to sign Partey’s perfect midfield partner amid links to the likes of Yves Bissouma, Ruben Neves, Renato Sanches and Manuel Locatelli.
In fact, they were being tipped as replacements for Granit Xhaka.
The Switzerland international’s five-year stay in north London looked set to be drawing to a close this summer after agreeing personal terms with Serie A side AS Roma.
However, Jose Mourinho’s side didn’t meet Arsenal’s asking price for the 28-year-old and as a result, Xhaka will be a key player for Arteta next season.
The Spaniard has even confirmed this stance himself: “Xhaka is staying,” Arteta said. “He wanted to play. He is a key player for us
Bukayo Saka
Whether it be as a right-winger, left-winger, left-back, or even right-wing back, when fit, Bukayo Saka starts for Arsenal. It’s as simple as that.
At the Euros this summer, Saka was effective on the right-wing just as he was for the Gunners in the past season, although he rarely looks out of place when asked to play in any position.
But it is time that Arteta sticks to his plan to find the England international’s best position.
“He has played really well on occasions in the back four as a full-back. He’s been exceptional for me on the right wing and has been really good as a wing-back as well,” the Spaniard said last season.
“Having great versatility for him has made him a different player. He’s really intelligent and he can pick things up really very quickly.
“And we will mould him into the position we want him to play more and more.”
Emile Smith Rowe
New contract signed, and most importantly a new shirt number. Not any shirt number, but an iconic shirt number for Emile Smith Rowe ahead of the new season.
The attacking midfielder has followed in the footsteps of Dennis Bergkamp, Mesut Ozil, Robin van Persie and Jack Wilshere in being allocated the No.10 shirt.
With that comes great responsibility and confirmation that he will be a big part of Arteta’s plans for next season and for Arsenal for many years to come.
Of course, the Gunners still need to bring in another creative player – or two – to ease the workload on Smith Rowe, but even if a James Maddison or Martin Odegaard arrive at the Emirates, that won’t necessarily put his place in the XI at risk.
In a 4-2-3-1 formation, Smith Rowe can operate from the left, tucking inside allowing Tierney to provide the width. Whilst he could also be used as an ‘8’ in central midfield if Arteta does eventually switch to his dream 4-3-3 system.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Admittedly, this may come as a surprise to some given Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is coming off a poor season by his own high standards plus a fairly disappointing pre-season.
But as Arsenal captain, it is likely that he will start more often than not when he is available.
His form will have to improve and an extended run as a centre forward rather than as a left-winger could be the solution as he remains the most consistent goalscorer within the squad.
With that said, there are a few players who could work their way into Arteta’s core group over the course of the season.
Nicolas Pepe has not quite nailed down a place under Arteta, but that could change if he picks up from where he left off at the end of the last season where he netted four goals in his final two appearances.
Meanwhile, the right-back spot is still up for grabs, with Hector Bellerin not quite proving he should be an automatic starter ahead of Calum Chambers and Cedric Soares
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