Players with a lot to prove.

Just a few days until we resume our season with a tough trip to Manchester on Wednesday.
We face a hectic schedule, with potentially 13 games (at least 11) in the next 6 weeks. This will see our squad stretched, and Mr Arteta has a tough task ensuring we are best prepared for each and every match.

While we have many players most have already given up on and a couple who are generally highly rated, we have a few players with a lot to prove over the remainder of the season.

Kieran Tierney came with a lot of hype after signing from Celtic. However, he also came with an injury and seemingly brittle bones. The break has given him the chance to restart, but Bukayo Saka has impressed in the Scotsmans absence. Already there are rumours of Tierney leaving, but a strong run of games could be the making of his Arsenal career.

Pablo Mari is a player who will bemoan the break more than most. After an impressive debut, albeit against 3rd tier Portsmouth in the cup, Mari made his first PL start in our last game, helping us to a 1-0 win over West Ham. The Spaniard will fancy his chances of being a regular starter, and the rest of the season will be his chance to secure a permanent deal.

It is often said that a player coming into the English league deserves a bedding in period. Nicolas Pepe has had a year now, so expectations will be for him to return to action more confident and more adept. Big things are demanded from the mega money signing, and you feel he needs to show up in the remainder of the season.

Matteo Guendouzi has fallen down the pecking order a bit since Mr Arteta took over. Hopefully a few bridges have been built, and Guendouzi has taken stock of his situation. With rumours that he may be one to sell to finance summer transfers, it could be a case of Guendouzi needing to make Mr Arteta believe in him.

Likewise Ainsley Maitland-Niles needs to win the faith of Mr Arteta. Seemingly focused on winning a midfield role, there is a lack of trust in the English youngster from both the fans and arguably his manager. With the schedule, Torreira expected to miss the restart, and Guendouzi's situation, AMN may finally get a chance in his favoured role.

Reiss Nelson started the season as the youngster most likely to break into the starting XI. Indeed, he was first choice in the opening fixtures. He didn't really take his chance, and got a little lost in the management changes. Mr Arteta, though, is said to be a massive fan of Nelson, and he gave a couple of improved performances before the shutdown.

Like Nelson, Joe Willock was a player Mr Emery was expected to use a lot. It hasn't quite worked out for Willock, whose performances have gradually declined over the season. A break may rejuvinate him, and he scored good goals in both friendlies. It his lack of goals in the PL that stands-out, as he has never really had the problem in other competitions. As an alternative to the oft-injured, oft under-performing Ozil, Willock should get a fair few minutes. Maybe he just needs that first PL goal to make him, and the fans, believe he can make it?

Eddie Nketiah is another player who was having his best spell before the break. After his loan to Leeds was cancelled in January, Nketiah started the last 3 PL games, scoring once. He also netted in both FA Cup games he started. Forcing Lacazette to the bench, one of the interesting choices Mr Arteta has to make is whether to stick with Nketiah or revert to Laca (or Auba or Martinelli). If Nketiah regains his place, then it will be a real chance to show he can make it at this level.

Over the next two summers I expect (hope?) the likes of Sokratis, Mustafi, Luiz, Chambers, Holding, Ceballos, Torreira, Ozil, Lacazette and Aubameyang to leave. The players above have to show they can step up and claim the places usually held by these.

It will be an interesting 6 weeks for all clubs.