Given the results of the weekend - our defeat to Liverpool and West Ham winning especially - even the glamorous carrot of Europa Conference is likely to be beyond us. Focus has to switch very much to the Europa League and Slavia Prague.
That opens up the question as to if Mikel Arteta should use the Premier League to blood some youngsters. And, if so, who?
Of course, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have proved to be key players already.
We have a bit of an injury crisis in defence, namely Kieran Tierney looks like he will be out for 4-6 weeks. Cedric is likely to cover him. Sadly, when you look at our U23s, we do not have a youngster who looks ready to step up. Big things were expected of Joel Lopez this season, but he really hasn't progressed. Tolaji Bola got some first team experience on loan, but didn't impress. Right back options are scarce, in truth.
At centre back, along with William Saliba and Kos Mavropanos, our best prospects are out on loan. Daniel Ballard, Mark McGuinness, Harry Clarke and Zech Medley are all at other clubs. Omar Rekik has unfortunately been absent since his arrival, and the other options look awful. To be fair, Arteta should concentrate on building a partnership with the seniors he has available.
If we have no intention of keeping Dani Ceballos at the club, the decision most want, then the only reason to keep playing him is the fear of needing him in the Europa. Thomas Partey arguably needs to be wrapped in cotton wool but given as much game time as possible to try and get him up to speed. That is a difficult balancing act for Arteta. Granit Xhaka could be rested in the PL, leaving Mo Elneny. Could this be the chance to blood a stand-out kid, namely Miguel Azeez. The classy looking midfielder has high expectations on him, and given a run of games to the end of the season could really propel him into next seasons thinking rather than the expected loan.
In the attacking areas we have two of our brightest prospects with the same problem facing us. Folarin Balogun is well known among Arsenal fans, both for his huge potential and his very small contract length. If there was any indication he would sign a new deal then it would be a no brainer to chuck him into the PL squad. Sadly, it is unlikely.
Lesser known, but equally highly rated, Kido Taylor-Hart has been offered a contract, but it seems unsigned at this moment. There have been talks of fast-tracking the 18 year old into the first team with little U23 experience. However, like Balogun, that plan will be dealt a massive blow if he doesn't sign.
Of course, Gabriel Martinelli should be getting games, and should be in contention for the Europa anyway. If there is any chance of Reiss Nelson having an Arsenal career beyond the end of the season then surely he has to be played a lot in the last 8 games.
There is a balancing act in keeping form and fitness for the Europa, doubt only playing the best XI in the Europa and resting them for the PL will work. However, some rotation will probably work well. Sadly we do not have the youth players knocking at the door.
Give Youth a chance in the PL?
posted on 6/4/21
Watching start the remaining 8 games.
posted on 6/4/21
Problem is we play bottom and 3rd bottom in the next 2 league games. I wouldnt risk starting youth players then as not winning both of those games would be absolute disaster. I'm ready to go all out Arteta out, but trying to hold off to give him the benefot of the doubt. Our worst season is decades is all but guaranteed already, but if we dont beat those 2 it will be too much for me to hold in. Watch this space for the incoming meltdown. (At least i admit it).
posted on 6/4/21
Miguel Azeez certainly must be blooded in the oncoming games. He's a big talent, and we need more than one midfielder for next season. It's a no-brainer.
We should also see a lot more of Gabriel Martinelli. We need a reliable goalscorer for the future and Auba and Laca won't be it.
It's a shame Cottrell is injured, I have/had high hopes for him.
posted on 6/4/21
Our season will be defined by what we do on the Europa, not what we do against Sheff U and Fulham in the next 2 weeks
posted on 6/4/21
One question which still need answering is whether or not Arteta trust our youngsters. 18 months into the job, I have to admit, I still don't know.
posted on 6/4/21
We need to rotate Auba and Laca and give Martinelli more games. Not against giving Lopez some minutes but I've not seen much of him.
Would absolutely be up for giving Azeez some minutes too, guy looks great whenever I've seen him play so it would be a good opportunity for us to see where he is with his development/give him the chance to impress us.
Ideally I would have liked him playing the EL & LC games next season before either making a push for the first team squad or going out on loan, so I don't see any reason to not give him a chance here when Elneny and Ceba are not the future and aren't even putting in competent performances anyway.
posted on 6/4/21
Barring winning the EL, our finances will likely be limited to what we can raise through player sales. And, whilst we don’t have any stand out cast-off candidates that guarantee bringing in tonnes of cash, we do have a sizeable number of players that could bring in a decent amount between them.
The two obvious candidates for playing time should be Nketiah and Nelson, and if I were Edu, I’d be instructing Arteta as such. This doesn’t mean I think they should be starting matches - though perhaps some of them they should - but if it helps lift their profiles, it’ll also potentially raise when we can sell them for.
I’d also tease Balogun with some bench time before the end of the season. Maybe a few cameos too.
From the rest of the current U23s that aren’t out on loan, only Azeez looks close to first team football. I liked the look of Olayinka in preseason, but I think he’s been injured?
From a defensive point of view, apart from Monlouis, who’s still very young, none of them look great, unfortunately.
posted on 6/4/21
Olayinka is on loan at Southend.
posted on 6/4/21
posted on 7/4/21
The league is dead. Not getting relegated and not getting top 7. Play mostly youth for 8 games and try and win the EL with the “first team”
Assess what we have before wasting more money in the summer.
Give Arteta until Christmas and if it’s more of the same get rid and move on.