ARSENAL head into today’s final day clash with Brighton with a fighting chance of securing European football.
Such a feat, albeit merely playing in the Europa Conference League next term, seemed unthinkable even a couple of months ago, but could become a reality.
But with the Gunners needing a beefy squad to handle the potential volume of games, Arteta will have some big decisions to make on various members of the squad.
With one match remaining and the Spaniard already fielding questions on his loanees ahead of the summer, it seems a logical time to offer a considered view on those still under contract, yet not with Arsenal at present.
Joe Willock
No better place to start than with Willock, who’s headline grabbing displays for Newcastle have had a large part to play in Steve Bruce steering his side to safety.
The box-to-box midfielder has scored on seven occasions, and in the process became the youngest player since Michael Owen to scored in 5 successive matches.
Given the scarcity of goals from Arsenal’s midfield, Willock’s knack of arriving late in the right place cannot have escaped Arteta’s attention.
This loan has been a wise decision by the club, as they have been able to watch the talented player in a 4-3-3 formation that we do not utilise currently, but may in the future.
It may be forgotten that in a disrupted 2019-20 campaign under Unai Emery and Arteta, Willock featured in more matches than any other player – and unless Newcastle’s offer is irresistible, he is a keeper for me.
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Matteo Guendouzi
The erratic Frenchman fell out with his Arsenal manager at the tail end of last season, but has produced a good season in the Bundesliga, where he has been a regular starter.
However, two goals and three assists in 24 league appearances for Hertha Berlin, as a box-to-box midfielder which he professes to be, is not screaming ‘take me back Arteta’ – particularly when compared with Willock’s output.
Marseille seem interested and while I still believe he has a high ceiling, with only a year left on his Arsenal contract, now is the time to cash in.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Ainsley Maitland-Niles has played regularly in his preferred role of central midfield at West Brom and done quite well.
However, I am not convinced he has shown anyone he can play there regularly for Arsenal.
In his absence, Calum Chambers has also pressed strong claims at right-back so that route, one AMN was not keen on, may be closed to him too.
While the player may not have accepted it, he shone for Arsenal as a wing-back and got his chance for England in that role, so a club such as Wolves, who have consistently played three at the back may be his best route.
Either way, while his stock is high, I hope Arsenal cash in while he has two years left on his deal.
William Saliba
After a strange, indeed awkward first two years as an Arsenal player for William Saliba, during which he has not pulled on a first team shirt, Arteta has confirmed the talented French centre-back will be back to fight for playing time in 2021-22.
He has played consistently and by all accounts very well for Nice since January, but Ligue 1 has a slower pace than the Premier League.
Many Arsenal fans are desperate to see him paired with Gabriel next season and while I think we will indeed see that, I am not convinced Saliba is automatically our right central defender as Rob Holding has improved beyond all recognition.
Konstantinos Mavropanos
Konstantinos Mavropanos, since returning from injury in November, has played very well for Stuttgart, making a step up in division, in what is his second loan in Germany.
Given the investment made in Saliba, the long-term contract and recent captaincy bestowed on Holding and the return to prominence of Chambers, I think the Greek may be the unlucky one.
Selling him for a good price, as he has two years left on his contract, should not be an issue.
Sead Kolasinac
The Bosnian has been popular with fans and in the squad, but with only a year left on his contract, Arsenal will need to work hard to secure a fee sadly.
Schalke, where he was a popular figure and showed his best form before he joined Arsenal, and where he has spent part of this year on loan, have been relegated so I suspect that avenue is closed.
Arteta wants a new Kieran Tierney understudy, so I think we might be in Sokratis territory here, writing off the final year of Kola’s deal.
According to Football London, Lazio are interested in the Bosnian’s services.
Lucas Torreira
It simply has not worked out the way we all anticipated for the popular Uruguayan in Madrid.
Diego Simeone’s style at Atletico seemed, on paper at least, made for Torreira, but he has failed to secure a regular starting berth, with many of his LaLiga minutes being off the bench.
Sadly there is no way back for him at Arsenal, and the question now seems how much of a loss the club make, particularly as the player seems set on a return to South America.
An interesting summer ahead for Edu I suspect but certainly the loan system has been well used by the club, and in some cases, players have proved they are worth a shot again in North London – or enhanced their transfer value.
You can follow Dave Seager on Twitter @GoonerDave66.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
