Who should Arteta pick for the trip to Vienna?

Arteta


The five players Mikel Arteta should consider for Thursday's Europa League trip to Austria to face Rapid Vienna


By Adam Le Roux

This Thursday sees the Gunners face their first European fixture of the season, as Mikel Arteta takes his side to Austria to face Rapid Vienna in the Europa League.

It’s a competition in which Arsenal fans are used to seeing an experimental line-up, as young starlets and new signings get the chance to shine on the highest stage, and we get a glimpse of the next generation of talent among our ranks. 

It was Gabriel Martinelli who stole the show last year, with the Brazilian’s early brace paving the way for a comfortable 4-0 victory over Standard Liege at the Emirates, but who could be the man to make the headlines this time around? 
Here we take a look at five players that Arteta could deploy in the Allianz Stadion, as we look to get off to the perfect start in group B.

Runar Runarsson

The Icelandic shot-stopper has been playing second fiddle to Bernd Leno since his arrival from Dijon in the summer, having to be content with a place on the bench so far this season. 


The trip to the Austrian capital could be the perfect place for Runarsson to make his Gunners’ bow, with the 25-year-old keen to prove himself as a contender for the number one spot.


The former-FC Nordsjælland man earned his sixth Iceland cap in the latest international break, as he featured in a 2-1 defeat against Belgium, and will be ready to step up between the sticks if required. 

Thomas Partey



Our latest recruit’s cameo appearance against Manchester City at the weekend has only whetted the appetite for us to see more of the former Atletico Madrid man, and Thursday could be the perfect opportunity to bed him in to his new role. 


Arteta was quick to defend his decision not to start the Ghanian against Pep Guardiola’s side on Saturday, after admitting the 27-year-old had only partaken in a single training session before the trip to the Etihad. 


But after a week of bedding in to his new surroundings, the £45m man will likely be given a starting berth in midweek, and we can finally get to see him pull the strings in the centre of the park.

Joe Willock

The 2020/21 season looks to be the one that will make or break Willock, with the 21-year-old needing to continue getting game time to further his development. 


The signing of Partey will create more competition for a place in the matchday squad, as Willock knows all too well, after failing to make a Premier League appearance so far this campaign. 


After 44 matches in all competitions last season, the homegrown talent will be looking to prove that he is worthy of a regular place in Arteta’s plans, and some strong performances in this competition could go some way to helping him achieve that goal. 

Folarin Balogun

There has been a lot of talk about Balogun and his performances as he rises through the youth ranks, and last weekend’s brace in a 3-3 draw with Manchester United u23s was further proof of his goalscoring ability. 


The 19-year-old is rumoured to be reluctant to sign a contract extension at the Emirates past the current campaign, but it is no secret of the talent he possesses, and some Europa League game time could convince him of extending his time in North London. 


Similar to Martinelli last season, Balogun could be a wildcard this year, with teams not knowing what to expect from his raw talent, which could be to the Gunners benefit.


It has been reported that Arsenal are holding out for £15m for the youngster if he were to leave, and if he can’t be tempted to stay, this could be the perfect way to put him in the shop window.

Reiss Nelson



Similarly to Willock, Nelson has yet to feature in the Premier League this season, despite 22 appearances for the Gunners in the 2019/20 campaign.


With his 21st birthday coming up soon, Nelson runs the risk of not living up to his potential if not given the chances, and the Europa League could be the glimmer of hope that he needs to shine.


Despite being made available for a loan move, the former Hoffenheim loanee remains at the club for the time being, and would no doubt relish the opportunity to perform in Austria, as a number of first-team players will be rested ahead of the crucial clash with Leicester this weekend. 


Photo Credit: Getty Images

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