5 Arsenal players who need a strong pre-season

#3 Cedric Soares

Cedric would want to be ready to cash-in on any opportunity

There is talk of Hector Bellerin moving on from Arsenal before the end of the summer transfer window. As much as the Gunners have celebrated him over the years, there is a general consensus among their fans that it is time for both parties to move on.

To some extent, the fans' reaction isn't really unwarranted. Due to a lack of form, Bellerin made just three appearances in the Premier League from March until the end of the season in May.

Considering how the player has also hinted at a departure, now would be the ideal time for Cedric to step in. Arteta is unlikely to have the kind of budget to try and bring in a reinforcement at right-back, so chances are that Cedric could be the go-to-man.

The Portuguese full-back started the game against Hibernian, but it was his looping back-pass that Arthur Okonkwo made an absolute mess out of in an attempt to clear the ball. Cedric will know he could have done better with that pass and is expected to keep working towards establishing himself under Arteta over the course of pre-season.

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#2 Reiss Nelson

Time for Nelson to shine?

Following his commendable exploits away from home while on loan at Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga, Nelson has not really taken off at Arsenal. The 21-year-old did not start a game in the Premier League last season and was restricted to just eight appearances across all competitions.

Nelson did find the back of the net twice for the Arsenal U23 side in Premier League 2 and would feel he has every right to be involved more often with the first team under Arteta.

There is plenty of competition for places in attack for Arsenal though. Whether they are all equally good and consistent enough to fire Arsenal back into the Champions League qualification race remains to be seen, but Nelson has yet to earn the trust of the manager.

For all we know, he could even be loaned out as there is considerable interest from a few mid-table Premier League sides. Irrespective of what happens on that front, Nelson will know that he needs a strong pre-season to stake a claim at the Emirates or elsewhere.

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#1 Emile Smith Rowe

Smith Rowe has started pre-season with a goal

The 20-year-old missed the early stages of last season due to a shoulder injury, but Smith Rowe looked at home as soon as he got a look-in. Notably, his first start in the Premier League last term was during the derby against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and Smith Rowe picked up an assist for Bukayo Saka's goal as Arsenal won 3-1.

Coincidentally, the Englishman also scored in the reverse fixture against Chelsea to help Arsenal secure a league double over their bitter-rivals, finishing the season on an excellent note.

With 11 direct goal contributions at senior level last season, Smith Rowe enjoyed a remarkable campaign. The midfielder has yet to extend his contract at the club beyond 2023, but Arsenal are believed to be interested in tying him down to a new deal and handing him an even bigger role at the Emirates.

Arteta will look to rely extensively on Smith Rowe as he attempts redemption with Arsenal. Thanks to his goal in the defeat to Hibernian, Smith Rowe has put his hand up once again and could benefit massively from a strong pre-season, which includes games against the likes of city rivals Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.