Who will be the winners and losers if Arteta is backed by Arsenal hierarchy?

Mikel Arteta

Who will be the winners and losers if Arteta is backed by Arsenal hierarchy?

By Peter White

Following their dismal Europa League semi-final exit at the hands of Villarreal last Thursday, Arsenal managed to avoid rubbing further salt into the wound with a comfortable 3-1 win over West Brom, which kept slim hopes of continental qualification alive. 

Maiden league goals for Arsenal from Emile Smith Rowe and Willian either side a thumping Nicolas Pepe strike were enough to relegate Sam Allardyce’s Baggies, who had given themselves a glimmer of hope when Matheus Pereira struck to make it 2-1. 

While short of setting pulses racing in north London the three points moved Arsenal back above Leeds United into ninth, now five points adrift of last season’s champions Liverpool in sixth, with three games to play. 

A spot in Europe next season remains a tall order for the 13-time English champions, especially considering their next clash is a trip to FA Cup and Champions League finalists Chelsea on Wednesday night. 

The prospect of no European football for the first time in 25 years poses a big question around the future of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who has failed to inspire the club to former glories despite FA Cup success last season. 

Whether or not the Spaniard’s 17-month tenure in charge should be ended is a topic of vicious debate among the Emirates faithful, yet reports suggest unpopular owner Stan Kroenke is set to keep faith with the former Gunners skipper going forward. 

During his time in charge, Arteta has made bold changes to his squad - most notably facilitating the departures of Mesut Ozil, Sokratis, Sead Kolasinac and Shkodran Mustafi - and with another summer it is expected he will continue to make further adjustments. 

He said: “The squad needs changing. We know what has been going on inside here for the last 18 months. We know. We only know, the ones that are here. How we have built that is incredible. 

“There were already a lot of changes in December, something that has not been done in years, but it tells us where we were. Things are going to have to change and the owners are going to back it up.” 

So, with an overhaul expected ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, who is safe from the axe, and who should be preparing to pack their bags? 

Youngsters

Who can kick back and relax?

One of the notable success stories of Arteta’s time in charge is the progress of some of Arsenal’s young stars, with the performances of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe against West Brom further evidence that they will be a big part of his plans next season. 

England international Saka, 19, has made more assists than any other Arsenal player since his debut in November 2018, claiming the 19th of his club career when he picked out Smith Rowe for his first Premier League goal on Sunday. 

Smith Rowe, 20, has made a huge impression during 30 senior appearances in a breakthrough campaign, providing seven assists in all competitions to suggest he could be the creative spark in attack that fans have so craved for, for years to come. 

Besides that obvious duo, fellow youngster Gabriel Martinelli was trusted to lead the line against West Brom, and though Arteta has used him sparingly this season in between injuries, the Brazilian looks to have done enough to impress and earn more minutes. 

Other academy products may be hopeful that Areta will stay with a pathway to the first team seemingly in place, with the likes of Folarin Balogun and Joe Willock - who is starring on loan at Newcastle - keen for their chance. 

Kieran Tierney is likely to remain a key figure under Arteta following an impressive campaign that has seen the Scot emerge as one of the first names on the teamsheet, despite missing around two months with injury. 

Pepe did his chances of staying involved no harm with a great strike that takes him up to 12 for the season in all competitions, while Arteta’s own signings - such as the injury-plagued Thomas Partey - are unlikely to be going anywhere just now. 

Those who could be shown the door

Though the game against strugglers West Brom paled in insignificance compared to Arsenal’s Villarreal showdown three days earlier, Arteta did make something of a statement within the six changes to his XI. 

Skipper Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Partey and Alexandre Lacazette were all left on the bench, and it seems the latter of those three could be on his way this summer. 

The Frenchman has hit 17 goals in all competitions in 2020/21 but was also left out against Villarreal, and while a new contract is yet to be agreed Arteta could choose to cash in, particularly with fellow forwards Aubameyang, Martinelli, Balogun and Eddie Nketiah to pick from. 

Incidentally Nketiah is one of the few young players yet to convince Arteta of his worth and - having enjoyed an up-and-down loan spell at Leeds in 2019/20 - could be tempted into another temporary or permanent switch. 

Winger Reiss Nelson, 21, has also found his chances limited with only two Premier League appearances, and could be set for a move away from his boyhood club. 

Dani Ceballos is thought to be already planning for a return to Spain after a largely unimpressive second season on loan from Real Madrid, while those already out on loan - Kolasinac, Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi and Ainsley Maitland-Niles - all seem like prime candidates for a transfer this summer.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

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