Big players need to show up against Slavia Prague to keep Arsenal’s season alive

Thomas Partey

Big players need to show up against Slavia Prague to keep Arsenal’s season alive

If you had a pound every time you'd heard that Arsenal 'need leaders' since the club last won the Premier League in 2004, you'd probably slot in somewhere around Stan Kroenke on the global rich list.

But guess what? It's true (again). Arsenal looked a rudderless ship in the humiliating 3-0 defeat at home to Liverpool on Saturday and the result has added an extra layer of pressure to Thursday night's Europa League quarter-final first leg at home to Slavia Prague.

Nine points off fifth with eight games to play in the Premier League, it looks as though the only way Arsenal will welcome continental visitors next season is by winning this competition.

This means that while so far the Europa League has rightly been used to cast an eye over some promising youngsters, now is the time for the so-called big guns to step up.

Thomas needs to join the Partey

After an encouraging start to life in an Arsenal shirt, Thomas Partey has not lived up to expectations in his first season as a Gunner - not helped by a string of injuries.

But he is a player with serious European pedigree, having helped Atletico Madrid regularly go deep in the Champions League, and it is these sort of crunch knockout games which he has been brought in to help make the difference in.

There were signs of progress from the Ghanaian in the comeback from 3-0 down against West Ham but he has to start delivering more consistently to justify the hype which accompanied his arrival.

Saka return well-timed

At the age of just 19, perhaps it is unfair to label Bukayo Saka one of Arsenal's 'big guns' but his performances this season are more than worthy of a place in that bracket.

His return to fitness is perfectly timed given the injury to Kieran Tierney, which could keep the Scot out for up to six weeks, and Saka will hope to slot in effortlessly - just as he as throughout his short Arsenal career to date across a variety of positions.

Wherever he plays, the teenager adds a point of difference to Arsenal's misfiring attack and, along with fellow returning youngster Emile Smith Rowe, could give the side the shot in the arm they need.

Can Xhaka keep his cool?

Another player returning from a lay-off is Granit Xhaka, who could be set to bring his unique brand of combative bite to the middle of the park.

But as ever, there are doubts as to his temperament going into a big game. Tempers boiled over in Slavia Prague's 2-0 win at Rangers - Ondrej Kudela will miss this game as a UEFA investigation is looking into his alleged racial abuse of Glen Kamara at Ibrox - and if the tie gets niggly on Thursday, 
can Xhaka be trusted to keep his cool?

As that cliché goes, Arsenal do need leaders. If he features, Xhaka will be one of his side's most experienced players on show and this is an ideal chance for him to deliver a mature performance and help keep dreams of silverware alive. 

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