By Harvey Gration
As the proverbial clock ticks its way closer to the dawn of a new Premier League season, Arsenal seem to have done the bulk of their spending this window. However, as put by our tinkering Spaniard this pre-season, we still have an ‘unsustainable’ pool of 30 players to choose from.
In today’s article, I will be looking at the potential outgoings that require completion, not only to raise funds, but to alleviate us of the deadwood at London Colney. Why is Mikel looking to move them on? Where may they find a suitable home? Let’s get on with it…
Folarin Balogun
Eddie Nketiah looks nailed on to be Arsenal’s supporting number 9 this season, and with the unfortunate knee injury to Gabriel Jesus, Arteta looks ready to count on the 24 year-old more than ever. Balogun, on the other hand, looks set for pastures anew; Arsenal, seemingly confident of a considerable bit later in the window, are prepared to play the long game. But why has it come to this?
Eddie can certainly occupy opposition centre-halves’ and link play more effectively than Flo, who enjoys dropping much deeper instead. Nketiah has showed how powerful he can be running with the ball as well, whereas Balogun pips him in terms of creating separation in the box. Both also move tremendously well, and this is a large part of why Balogun only lost out to Mbappe on xG in Ligue 1 last season, and Nketiah was Arsenal’s highest accumulator p90.
Personally, I am a fan of Eddie’s, and his progress despite not having a full season’s linear development excites me. Nketiah has the athleticism, work rate, relentless attacking of, and staying power in the box, clever finishes, and can be a reliable outlet. He may not be the flashy car, but a lot of this has to do with his own status in this Arsenal squad, and commendable patience waiting in the wings.
Balogun has a high ceiling undoubtedly, but Mikel is understandably opting for the no.14 with 4-years left on his contract and selling (in the eyes of the market) the in-demand asset. I’ll leave you to formulate your own opinion on this…
Albert-Sambi Lokonga
It hasn’t worked out for the Belgium international. Certainly not a lone 6, his profile looks most identifiable with the modern day 8 who can drop deeper initially to help secure possession, and then roam into higher areas to receive in between the lines.
At Arsenal he has often been tasked with the sole responsibility of our build up when called upon, with injuries leaving us bereft of an inverted full back to help out. It just hasn’t worked, and a return to somewhere familiar may be Sambi’s medicine.
Vincent Kompany’s Burnley. A manager who coached, made him captain, and cherished Lokonga at Anderlecht. Kompany is desperately looking for Premier League quality to support his modern model at Turf Moor. ASL would most likely compete with Gudmundsson in the left 8, adding more defensive combativeness to Burnley’s midfield, whilst epitomising the type of technical acquisition Kompany wants.
Lokonga possesses an impressive repertoire of passes, but opts for retention over constant progression. Kompany will also believe he can develop ASL to invade the box more and become that multi-purposed BTB 8.
Kieran Tierney
Even as Arteta looks to make us as unpredictable as possible, able to flip dynamics mid-game, KT will not get enough game time- I’m sorry.
Preferring the right-footed Timber and Tomiyasu in pre-season, Tierney has not seen his minutes significantly bolstered. Ultimately, with Zinchenko added to the list of our LHS defensive assets (Timber, Kiwior, Gabriel, Tomiyasu), any use of KT as a hybrid LCB/LB looks sporadic at best.
A move to Tyneside could suit the Scot. Howe’s deployment of Trippier as a wide 5th man in attack, and acquisition of Tino Livramento on the same side (his first viable option to invert from fullback), could pave a way for Tierney. He would most likely replace Dan Burn, who tucks into their 3 at the back in settled possession, also able to map Trippier’s high and wide involvement in a different way on the left.
The Riff-Raff
In a 30-player squad, there are inevitably some players who will struggle to feature whatsoever.
Nuno Tavares as returned to London Colney now; however, with Tierney’s minutes slashed his chances look unsalvageable. Nicolas Pepe is yet to rejoin the group and looks nailed on for a move elsewhere. The club will also be waiting patiently on offers for the services of considerable-earner Cedric Soares and Rob Holding, with the later a possible late window target for Premier League defences.
Thus, as we enter the final month of the summer window, Arsenal are still very much active. Expect a cohort of players to join Granit Xhaka, Austin Trusty, Pablo Mari, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles on their way out, possibly raising funds for another incoming down the line…? But that is for another article.
I have been Harvey Gration, I hope you have enjoyed reading. My socials are as follows at the bottom. Over and Out.
YouTube: @Harvey Gration
Twitter: @GrationHarvey
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