Mikel Arteta’s wafer-thin Arsenal squad will be put to the test when they begin their Europa League campaign with a trip to FC Zurich on Thursday night.
The Gunners failed to secure any deadline day signings despite being linked with a move for Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz and Leicester City star Youri Tielemans. Arteta was keen to get a midfielder over the line following injuries to Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey, with the former expected to be out until at least the new year. But he has unable to prize Luiz away from Villa Park, while Tielemans stayed at the Foxes.
It leaves just Granit Xhaka, Fabio Viera and Albert Sambi Lokonga as Arsenal’s only fit central midfielders at the moment, although Oleksandr Zinchenko and Martin Odegaard can also play in the double-pivot. Arteta has, however, named youngster Matt Smith in his Europa League squad.
The 21-year-old has never made a first-team appearance for the Gunners and spent last season on loan at Doncaster Rovers. His inclusion, whilst an opportunity for him to impress, highlights the lack of midfield depth at Arteta’s disposal.
Whilst the Europa League is far from Arsenal’s priority, the competition provides a backdoor route back into the Champions League and a chance to win some silverware. As the competition progresses and the stakes are high, Arsenal’s resources face being stretched.
For example, Xhaka may struggle playing two to three times a week due to his injury history and could require regular rests – with the Europa League the perfect opportunity to do that. But then that would mean starting Viera and Sambi Lokonga despite their lack of experience and a need to be involved in Premier League games.
One more injury in that position means Arteta faces running out of senior midfielders and may be forced to look far down the list for solutions.
(
Getty Images)
It isn’t just the midfield where Arsenal could be stretched due to the Europa League and extra matches. Ben White has had to start the season at right-back in Takehiro Tomayasu’s absence, but either he or Gabriel and William Saliba may have to continue playing in the Europa League with Rob Holding the only other senior centre-back.
The forward area is another issue, with Arteta failing to sign a winger as Bukayo Saka continues to keep up his record of starting in every competitive game he is fit for. Their squad strength is a real issue, however, and the Gunners will need to find a solution, so they don’t pick up any more injuries.
Getty Images)
With so much expectation riding on Arsenal this season, Arteta cannot afford to throw away a competition and has to make his team as competitive as possible for every game. The quality in the Europa League may not be as strong as the Premier League, but the Gunners shouldn’t underestimate their opponents.
Arsenal will also face PSV and Bodo/Glimt in their group – two sides who reached the quarter-final of the Europa Conference League last season and both are experienced enough to cause upsets in Europe. Zurich are seen as the weakest opponent in the group, meaning the Gunners must get off to a positive start later this week.
Arteta’s side will be looking to continue their impressive start to their Premier League campaign despite losing 3-1 at Manchester United on Sunday. They have still picked up 15 points from a possible 18 so far.
