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Arsenal have not been doing very well under their new coach Unai Emery of late. They are at 5th position in the league table currently and will find it difficult to finish inside the top 4. They have obtained 41 points from 21 matches so far. In the process, the Gunners have also conceded 31 goals, and their defence has struggled against the big teams.
Moreover, they have also lost most of their matches against the top teams so far. They have lost to Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea, drawn with Manchester United and won only against Tottenham Hotspur. They suffered a humiliating 1-5 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield only a few days ago. They have also won only 12 out of their 21 matches so far.
To make matters worse for them, Aaron Ramsey, the midfielder who is into his 11th season with the Gunners, is probably going to leave the club soon. In this article, we look at the 3 Arsenal players who should be getting more game time:
1. Mesut Ozil:
The 30 year old Ozil is one of the most experienced and successful footballers in this Arsenal squad. He has played 212 matches and scored 41 goals for the Gunners after signing in 2013. However, he has played in only 16 matches this season and should definitely be getting more playing minutes.
Arsenal have found it very difficult to win against big teams, and unless they are able to beat at least some of the top teams, they can not finish inside the top 4. Ozil could help them create more goal-scoring opportunities against the top teams.
Ozil is one of the few players in this Arsenal squad who can hold on to the ball and dribble well. He is also an astute passer in the final third and has the ability to score important goals too. Moreover, with Ramsey's departure, Arsenal would be needing a creative player in their midfield. Ozil can very well provide that much-needed creative influence.
Ozil still has a few years left in him at the top level. He can still be of great use to this Arsenal team and can contribute significantly. It is now for Emery to decide whether he wants Ozil to stay at Arsenal and play for them on a regular basis.
2. Matteo Guendouzi:
Guendouzi is one of Arsenal’s new signings this season and has been reasonably impressive for them. However, he has warmed the bench often as Arsenal have started with Granit Xhaka and Lucas Torreira as a double pivot in their midfield in most of the matches so far. Torreira has been very good for the Gunners this season, and has helped them win a few matches almost single-handedly.
However, with Ramsey about to leave the club, Arsenal can think of playing Guendouzi more often as a central midfielder. He can keep possession and control the tempo of the game.
He can be very effective if Arsenal play a possession-oriented game and allow their forwards more time to recuperate and position themselves well. He could help Arsenal hold on to a lead in the matches against the big teams.
Guendouzi has played 26 matches this season so far, but has come in as a substitute in most of them. He should definitely get more match time, as Arsenal need a genuine ballplayer in their midfield.
3. Nacho Monreal:
The experienced left-back is into his 6th season with Arsenal, but has played in only 15 matches this season. Arsenal are actually spoilt for choice in that position in their squad. However, none of them have impressed much this season, and it is probably time to give the 32 year old Monreal more playing minutes.
Kolasinac has the ability to make quick overlapping runs, but is yet to prove his worth as a defender. Lichtsteiner is ageing, and again, is more comfortable going forward than defending. Monreal is a better defender than the two, and therefore, should be able to provide the Arsenal defence the much-needed solidity.
Arsenal have been able to keep only 4 clean sheets in the league so far. They have conceded 14 goals in 6 matches against the top teams so far, and definitely can not finish inside the top 4 if they keep it up. Therefore, one can definitely hope that Monreal would be getting more playing minutes in the upcoming matches.
Monreal has suffered some injuries this season, but he should start if he is at full fitness.
