#37 - FIVE Arsenal players who could surprise us next season
There tends to be one or two players each year that surpass pre-season expectations. This week, I take a look a five who could surprise this campaign.
Last season it was probably one of the new signings in David Raya or Kai Havertz, but Arsenal probably need to find one or two within their ranks to ‘breakout’ next season. In this issue, I weigh up five of the more likely candidates.
With many of Arsenal’s star players busy at international tournaments this summer, the window could open for those not on duty. If they have an impressive pre-season, they will likely kick off the season in the team. Who could take the opportunity?
Fabio Vieira… or Emile Smith Rowe
I think one of these players will leave and one will stay and be trusted more. To be honest, that’s the approach Mikel Arteta will have to take. There’s too much-unused value lingering within the squad and these two are the epitome of that. Neither has been given enough opportunities to show their qualities and perhaps one leaving this summer, will then create a bit more room for the other to influence.
Both players will need to prove their fitness levels more consistently if they are to truly have a breakout season. Vieira showed flashes of quality at the start of last season and there was a feeling that he could make that left eight role his own. Sadly, his performances were inconsistent and an ill-timed straight red-card only set him back further. The club need to develop Vieira physically too. Whilst he will always be of sleight build, he does need to fill his frame out more to enable him to compete with the vigors of the Premier League.
But his final ball and shooting ability is up there with the best in the squad. Can Arteta coach this player into a top asset, that ultimately the club paid good money for (£30million). A benefit both he and Smith Rowe have is that unlike most of the Arsenal squad, they are not on international duty this summer.
That will allow them more time on the training ground with Mikel, and potential opportunities to start games early in the season, whilst others get up to speed.
I think Vieira is the more likely to stay at this point, as I think Smith Rowe probably more valuable in the market right now and from an accounting point of view, any sale on Smith Rowe will be marked as profit.
All of this points to Vieira getting another chance. Perhaps this season will be his final chance, but this pre-season could be huge for him.
Gabriel Jesus
Another player who has struggled to stay fit. Jesus was perhaps our best player for large parts of the 2022/23 season, he certainly helped take the club up a level. But last season was terrible for him, let's be honest.
How and where he is used this season may change. I sense there’s an opportunity to break into the team on the left-side if Martinelli continues to stutter.
He’s stayed away from Brazil this summer to sort out his fitness issues. Let’s hope they are all behind him now, because if so, Arsenal will have a serious player on their hands next season.
Jurrien Timber
I’m not sure this counts because I doubt anyone would be surprised. But last pre-season Timber looked like he was going to help raise Arsenal’s level, he was the standout performer in those pre-season games.
It’s so intriguing as to where he will play in this Arsenal side. Initially, we thought he’d be right back, then it looked like he would re-invent our left-hand side just before his injury. It’s easy to forget that he was predominantly a central defender at Ajax and has even played in midfield. I’m sure he won’t be tied to one position but the tactical flexibility he will give us is exciting. He looks the perfect player for Arteta and let’s hope he has no further injury concerns.
It’s good that Arsenal eased Timber back, and now he’s got all summer at the club to rebuild and have a full pre-season behind him before getting back into action.
Ethan Nwaneri
With such a busy schedule next season, Mikel Arteta will need to give more opportunities to his squad. Young Nwaneri is now not far down the pecking order in this squad. With so many of Arsenal’s players set to return from the international tournaments late to pre-season, 17-year-old Nwaneri has a real chance to impress ahead of the season and let Arteta know he is ready to be used this season.
Arsenal have faced criticism for letting many academy players leave recently, and so there will be some pressure to start including academy prospects in the first team more. The club needs to highlight the pathway to convince their best academy talents to stick around.
They did just that with Nwaneri last year though, and he’s considered the gem of the current crop.
His favoured position is attacking midfield, but he can also play wide and even as a striker. Given Arsenal’s lack of depth in those areas, Ethan has a real opportunity to break through this season.
Myles Lewis-Skelly
Probably behind Nwaneri a little, but much of what I said for Ethan applies here for Myles. Another talented teenager, Myles can play a few roles in midfield and has even played as an inverted left-back for the youth teams. Like Ethan, he should get a chance to impress in pre-season and has trained with the first team on several occasions.