5 Players with Something to Prove in the 2nd Half of the Season




By Fabio Duarte

As we progress through the second half of the season there are plenty of first-team players with something to prove. Whether they are looking to stake a place in the first-team, change the fans’ opinion of them, or make a bid for a permanent move, the following five players are desperate for a sustained impact. 

Here are five Arsenal players with something to prove during the remainder of the campaign.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Things haven’t quite gone to plan since signing his contract extension. Aubameyang’s lack of goals and overall diminished influence have been well-documented this season. Whether he continues in a wide role or not, the club captain will need to contribute more moving forwards.

A recent brace against Newcastle in the Premier League could offer the first signs of a goal-scoring resurgence in 2021. Aubameyang stated his desire to become a club legend upon signing his new deal and a timely return to form is likely needed in order to possibly realise those ambitions.

Mathew Ryan

The Aussie shot-stopper didn’t have the best of times with Brighton this season. Ryan went from undisputed number one to bench-warmer after a string of subpar performances. Nevertheless, the Australian international has shown his class in the past and is certainly an upgrade on the disappointing Runarsson.

The boyhood Arsenal fan now has the chance to establish himself as Arsenal’s cup keeper and possibly secure a permanent move in the summer. Ryan spoke of his joy in signing with the Gunners and would no doubt welcome a permanent switch, performances permitting. 

Willian

The jury has given their verdict on Willian as an Arsenal player and it’s not a favourable one. Nevertheless, Willian remains a Gunner and that could well be the case for some time yet. The Brazilian was once lauded for the high-intensity play and will no doubt be keen to reverse the judgement on his Arsenal career.

Willian’s first goal is to play his way back into the starting XI. Chances are likely to come at a premium but with the intense fixture schedule, he will get opportunities to prove himself.


Nicholas Pépé

Another winger who can’t seem to get things to click at Arsenal is Nicholas Pépé. The Ivorian has shown flashes of brilliance in his time at the club but has struggled to ever put together a consistent run of quality performances.

Like Willian, he finds himself often sidelined in favour of more in-form younger options. Although minutes may be reduced in the immediate future, Pépé has to make the most of them in what could be a definitive few months in his Gunners career. The recent signs are encouraging.

Gabriel Martinelli

The goodwill towards fellow attackers Willian and Pépé may be waning, but it’s a very different story for Martinelli. Sidelined through injury for the majority of the campaign thus far, Martinelli is now looking to kick-start his Arsenal career.

A space in the Arsenal attack is certainly up for grabs and Martinelli has shown he has bags of promise. If the Brazilian can stay fit, he has the potential to become a fixture in the Arsenal XI moving forward.


In truth, most of the Arsenal squad have something to prove after the start that was made. The improvement at the turn of the year is heartening but the latest setback must be nothing more than a blip and not the start of something bigger.


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