5 Arsenal players with the least minutes played in the 2021-22 season

3. Sead Kolasinac/Pablo Marí - 270

Kolasinac has secured a permanent switch to Marseille

Arsenal's squad was rich with defensive options until the start of the current season. Ahead of the 2021-22 season, head coach Mikel Arteta offloaded many to make room for new arrivals and reduce the competition.

The same has impacted many former players, including Sead Kolasinac and Pablo Mari. They have each featured in 270 games for the Gunners in the ongoing 2021-22 season.

While Pablo Mari made three full-time appearances before moving to Udinese on loan, Kolasinac secured a permanent switch to Marseille. The latter's run at the Emirates was hindered by an ankle injury.

---

2. Folarin Balogun - 133

Folarin Balogun is lauded as one of the future prospects at the Emirates Stadium

Folarin Balogun is another player out on loan due to increased competition within the team. With two Premier League appearances and two EFL Cup appearances, Balogun accumulated a total of 133 playing minutes in the Arsenal shirt before moving to Middlesbrough.

The 20-year-old is lauded as one of the future prospects at the Emirates Stadium. If it wasn't for the presence of Alexander Lacazette, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Martin Odegaard among others, Folarin Balogun might certainly have secured a spot in Arsenal's attacking department.

Balogun nearly signed for Spurs in 2019 after having a trial with the London side. However, he chose Arsenal and signed a deal in February. The forward is now an important member of the Arsenal U21. But he trained regularly with the senior team and also made occasional appearances before moving out on loan to Middlesbrough.

---

1. Reiss Nelson - 19

Reiss Nelson dropped down the pecking order as Arteta revamped his strategy

Arsenal kickstarted their 2021-22 campaign with a shocking loss at the hands of newly promoted Brentford FC. Unfortunately, Reiss Nelson was a part of the team that day. He came in as a substitute in the 71st minutes, replacing Gabriel Martinelli.

Those 19 minutes account for Reiss Nelson's time on the pitch for Arsenal this season. He eventually dropped down the pecking order as Arteta revamped his strategy following a series of losses.

On August 31, 2021, the 22-year-old moved to Eredivisie side FC Feyenoord. The loan deal is only until the end of the current season. He has become a core member of the Feyenoord squad already and has played 20 games for the Dutch club so far this season.

With his current form at Feyenoord, it would not be a bad idea for Reiss Nelson to make his transfer permanent.