5 Arsenal players to watch during pre-season 

Arsenal will enter a crucial season
Arsenal will enter a crucial season

#3 Willian

Willian's debut season at Arsenal did not go according to plan
Willian's debut season at Arsenal did not go according to plan

Willian had a dream start for Arsenal, having a hand in all three goals in the 3-0 victory over Fulham on his debut.

His display got fans of the Gunners buzzing about what the Brazilian would bring in attack but their hopes were quickly dashed as the former Chelsea man largely flattered to deceive.

Willian's debut season at the Emirates was one to forget and he was upsurged by youngsters like Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka.

There have been reports that the club are willing to let Willian leave this summer but have not received concrete interest in him.

Pre-season offers the 32-year-old an opportunity at a clean slate to rewrite his Arsenal career or give potential buyers reason to consider him.


#2 Folarin Balogun

Folarin Balogun will be looking to break into the first team this term
Folarin Balogun will be looking to break into the first team this term

Big things were expected from Folarin Balogun as he progressed through the Arsenal ranks but he has largely failed to hit the heights expected so far.

At 20 years, the England youth international still has enough time to come through but his window of opportunity at his boyhood club could close shut in the coming years.

A solid outing in the Europa League last season showed what Balogun is capable of but he is yet to make his Premier League bow for Arsenal.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the team's talisman in attack, while Bukayo Saka is a trusted sidekick. But Folarin Balogun could take advantage of this pre-season to play his way into the thoughts of first-team management.


#1 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Aubameyang struggled for consistency last term
Aubameyang struggled for consistency last term

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang had a nightmare campaign in the 2020-21 season and performed at levels far beneath the world-class standards he has shown in the last few years.

Nevertheless, the Gabon international's qualities are not in doubt and he will be raring to remind everyone of why he is regarded as one of the best strikers in the world.

Things, however, got off to a rocky start for the 32-year-old in pre-season and videos of the shocking miss he had against Rangers went viral on social media.

Aubameyang remains Arsenal's most viable goal threat and the Gunners, having a successful season, will be down to him rediscovering his touch in front of goal.

The former Borussia Dortmund man is capable of delivering and the games against Tottenham and Chelsea in August offer an excellent opportunity to rediscover his Midas touch.


Also See: Five Manchester United players to watch during pre-season

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