Arsenal: 4 main concerns for Mikel Arteta in pre-season ahead of Premier League opener against Brentford on August 13. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Arsenal haven’t enjoyed the smoothest of pre-season preparations so far with disruptions aplenty, all of which is causing a few twitchy bums with the opening clash of the season against Brentford just three weeks away.
A time of the year where fitness is most important of all, so far this summer Arsenal have taken on Hibernian, Rangers and Millwall.
The clash with Hibernian caused the expected meltdown for no reason whatsoever as Jack Ross’s side ran out 2-1 winners at Easter Road. A gifted opener was added to with a poorly defended corner, before Emile Smith Rowe reduced the deficit late on.
It was Rangers at Ibrox a few days later for a meeting with Steven Gerrard’s title winners, with Arsenal falling behind once more courtesy of another piece of slack defending from a set piece. Nuno Tavares scored a lovely goal on his debut before another corner goal was conceded.
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Arsenal: 4 main concerns for Mikel Arteta in pre-season ahead of Premier League opener against Brentford on August 13
Eddie Nketiah spared the blushes in a match that the Gunners blew countless opportunities, primarily from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Not ideal, but the result don’t matter. Performances and fitness do. That was remedied with a 4-1 win over Millwall on Saturday, courtesy of goals from Calum Chambers, Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe and Folarin Balogun. Much better.
However, it hasn’t been calm sailing on and off the pitch. While it’s far too early to be allowing fear to creep in ahead of the Premier League restarting, there are four main concerns facing Mikel Arteta and co.
It’s said every year, but this is an important season. More so than previously (which is also said every year).
1. Pre-Season Disruptions & USA Tour Cancellation
While England and most of the UK are seeing restrictions for the public lifted in regards to lockdown measures, the reality of the coronavirus remains unmoved.
With an unnamed group of the 80-man travelling part who were due to fly out to the USA for the Florida Cup testing positive it forced Arsenal to cancel their plans.
Pre-season is usually a blend of so-called ‘easier’ games with more marketable fixtures later in the summer, and facing the Serie A champions certainly classes as that. While the level of competition is important for the whole team as well as the manager, there are some individuals who need those matches.
Folarin Balogun, for example, is one. A physically strong 20-year-old who has been moved up to the first team, he need these fixtures. He needs the competition. He needs to truly test himself.
All associated with Arsenal are very grateful to Millwall for heading to London Colney and fielding a strong side for Saturday’s fixture, but with all due respect they aren’t Inter. There will be another behind-closed-doors fixture to come, if all goes well.
Equally, the counter-argument is that staying in London will grant Arteta more valuable time to embed his ideas. The travel is eliminated entirely, there are no media events for sponsors and the like, and the risk of being abroad gone.
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<h2>Arsenal: 4 main concerns for Mikel Arteta in pre-season ahead of Premier League opener against Brentford on August 13</h2>
<p>Eddie Nketiah spared the blushes in a match that the Gunners blew countless opportunities, primarily from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.</p>
<p>Not ideal, but the result don’t matter. Performances and fitness do. That was remedied with a 4-1 win over Millwall on Saturday, courtesy of goals from Calum Chambers, Alexandre Lacazette, Nicolas Pepe <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/24/arsenal-4-concerns-season-arteta/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/14/arsenal-balogun-lacazette-transfer-call/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">and Folarin Balogun</a>. Much better.</p>
<p>However, it hasn’t been calm sailing on and off the pitch. While it’s <em>far </em>too early to be allowing fear to creep in ahead of the <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/24/arsenal-4-concerns-season-arteta/"https://www.90min.com/leagues/premier-league" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Premier League</a> restarting, there are four main concerns facing Mikel Arteta and co.</p>
<p>It’s said every year, but this is an important season. More so than previously (which is also said every year).</p>
<h2>1. Pre-Season Disruptions & USA Tour Cancellation</h2>
<p>While England and most of the UK are seeing restrictions for the public lifted in regards to lockdown measures, the reality of the coronavirus remains unmoved.</p>
<p>With an unnamed group of the 80-man travelling part who were due to fly out to the USA for the Florida Cup testing positive it forced Arsenal to cancel their plans.</p>
<p>Pre-season is usually a blend of so-called ‘easier’ games with more marketable fixtures later in the summer, and facing the Serie A champions certainly classes as that. While the level of competition is important for the whole team as well as the manager, there are some individuals who need those matches.</p>
<p>Folarin Balogun, for example, is one. A physically strong 20-year-old who has been moved up to the first team, he need these fixtures. He needs the competition. He needs to truly test himself.</p>
<p>All associated with Arsenal are very grateful to Millwall for heading to London Colney and fielding a strong side for Saturday’s fixture, but with all due respect they aren’t Inter. There will be another behind-closed-doors fixture to come, if all goes well.</p>
<p>Equally, the counter-argument is that staying in London will grant Arteta more valuable time to embed his ideas. The travel is eliminated entirely, there are no media events for sponsors and the like, and the risk of being abroad gone.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/24/arsenal-4-concerns-season-arteta/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2. Late arrivals </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-116961" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/24/arsenal-4-concerns-season-arteta/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1325717152-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Ben White" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">BURTON UPON TRENT, ENGLAND – JUNE 27: Ben White of England during a training session at St George’s Park on June 27, 2021 in Burton upon Trent, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>2. Late Squad Arrivals</h2>
<p>There are only three players yet to return to Arsenal following their international excursions, albeit at this stage technically only two.</p>
<p>We are going to include Ben White, though. Barring a medical catastrophe he will become an Arsenal player and he’s already touched down in London following the conclusion of his holidays to prepare for his official signing.</p>
<p>It’s clear just how vital this transfer is to Arteta. Arsenal have worked long and hard on getting this deal done and will part with their fourth highest transfer fee in history, and their most ever for a defender. White is a key addition.</p>
<p>Given he will arrive late with the squad it will take longer than desired for him to absorb Arteta’s ideas, build up his fitness and integrate within his new teammates. He’s clearly arriving as a first team starter and his experience of the Premier League should make for a smoother transition, yet a few extra weeks on the training pitch would have been desired.</p>
<p>As for Bukayo Saka, it’s impossible not to miss him in the team. When the Player of the Season features, Arsenal are better for it. It’s as simple as that.</p>
<p>The squad is still well-stocked. Pepe, <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/24/arsenal-4-concerns-season-arteta/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/23/arsenal-3-key-tasks-smith-rowe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Smith Rowe</a> and, potentially, Gabriel Martinelli can fill in depending on other factors. And while it’s not leaving Arsenal bare, you don’t lose Saka without missing something.</p>
<p>Granit Xhaka is also back in north London. He’ll be gone before the opener.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/24/arsenal-4-concerns-season-arteta/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 3. Brazilian boys </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-large wp-image-117515" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/24/arsenal-4-concerns-season-arteta/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1306560841-850x560.jpeg" alt="Arsenal, Gabriel" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">PIRAEUS, GREECE – MARCH 11: Gabriel of Arsenal celebrates with teammates Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabriel Martinelli and Cedric Soares after scoring their team’s second goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 First Leg match between Olympiacos and Arsenal. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3. Gabriel Magalhaes & Gabriel Martinelli Uncertainties</h2>
<p>It started off as a case of one in the Brazilian Olympics team and one out, which is how it ended, only the other way around.</p>
<p>Gabriel made the cut when Gabi didn’t, only for a knee injury to rule him out of the travelling party. It’s a huge blow to him personally as he misses out on representing his nation in Tokyo, but from a a selfish point of view there has been no recent update to suggest he’s recovering well. We lie in wait.</p>
<p>Pablo Mari will be starting against Brentford, of this there is no doubt. Given it’s likely to be Rob Holding alongside him, perhaps that isn’t a massive concern. Still, the Spaniard hasn’t looked especially solid in pre-season (it’s only pre-season) and you’d rather have your best central defender when faced with the Championship’s top scorer last term.</p>
<p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/24/arsenal-4-concerns-season-arteta/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/24/gabi-martinelli-worried-arsenal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">As for Martinelli</a>, him being away with Brazil is playing out almost like pre-season away from pre-season. He didn’t make the bench for the opening clash over Germany which doesn’t bode well for his chances later on in the tournament, which Brazil are looking strong in and could go all the way.</p>
<p>Doing so will mean a late return for Martinelli and it remains to be seen whether he is granted a ‘break’ as such if he isn’t involved.</p>
<p>It would be hugely preferable if he were back in time to face Brentford with Pepe, Smith Rowe and <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/24/arsenal-4-concerns-season-arteta/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/15/arsenal-overweight-willian-sold-transfer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Willian</em></a> looking like being the three behind Aubameyang unless additions are brought in before then. After a tough 2020/21 campaign for Gabi this isn’t the ideal way to start the new season.</p>
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<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Edu Gaspar (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>4. Arsenal Still Have Work to Do in the Transfer Market</h2>
<p>The obvious one. And one that comes with the similarly obvious caveat of there still being over five weeks left of the window remaining. Only three until facing the Bees, however.</p>
<p>What is ever so slightly alarming is the <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/24/arsenal-4-concerns-season-arteta/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2021/07/23/arsenal-4-leading-transfer-targets/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">lack of improvement in the starting lineup</a>. In other words, none.</p>
<p>White is coming as the whole world knows but it would be surprising to see him thrust straight into the team given the limited minutes with the squad and the time needed to regain fitness.</p>
<p>Depending on when Martinelli returns from Olympics and if he is given some time off, if there are no additions between now and August 13 (and even if they are they will need time) already mentioned is that it could be a case of Willian, Smith Rowe and Pepe lining up behind Aubameyang at the Brentford Community Stadium.</p>
<p>Aubameyang has lined up on the left a fair bit in pre-season which could see Lacazette brought in at No. 9. We’ll have to wait and see.</p>
<p>Without a central midfielder signed it will be Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey in central midfield, in front of a centre-back partnership of Holding and Mari.</p>
<p>Or it might not be. Again, no escaping to panic rooms <em>just</em> yet.</p>
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<p>However, the clock is ticking on making additions that can impact the starting lineup early on in this season and nobody is kidding themselves that Chelsea and Manchester City on matchdays two and three aren’t somewhat daunting.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
