Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is claimed to have been impressed by 17 year-old Lino Sousa, and is tipped to promote him to the first-team squad after Kieran Tierney’s latest injury.
The Scotland international has suffered a knee injury on his return from the international break, and is potentially ruled out for the remainder of the campaign, and with Nuno Tavares failing to impress in both of his last two starts, the manager may have to look at alternative options with so much on the line.
We still hold the advantage in the race to finish inside the top-four, knowing that winning our game in hand will give us a three-goal cushion over Spurs who currently sit in fourth ahead of us on goal difference. There is little leg-room with big clashes against Man United, Tottenham and Chelsea left from our remaining nine matches, and it could definitely seem a risk to continue with Tavares with the defensive frailty he has been showing.
The boss could now turn to the 17 year-old according to The Mirror, who Football.London states has been impressing in training as well as coming off the bench in our recent friendly match with Brentford during the international break.
At this point, I’m spending a lot of time considering alternatives to Nuno in the back four, and the more I think about it I can see Cedric moving to the left, with Holding coming into the middle to allow Ben White to go out to the right against Brighton, but it would definitely be great to see Sousa come off the bench and stake a claim for a role in our side. I haven’t personally seen enough to think that he is ready for the role as a starter yet, but if he is already impressing Arteta then he could well be the latest young star to flourish in our side.
Will Arteta stick with Tavares this weekend?
Patrick
Depay to arsenal won’t be a bad idea.
since ESR was actually handed dubut from freddie, and saka was already first team maryinelli 10 goals under Emery, injury and neglected for willians 30 starts or something?
wich young players below 20 exept patino 19? Arteta really gave the chanve? And why is Saliba 21 still to young? ppl saw he was going places few seasons ago and better then mustafu, sokratis probably holding aswell… would say he like that ruomor but tbh he havn’t give any 17-18 years old any PL time tbh…
Would like to be corrected if im wrong
Your right Emery brought those players into the fold, but arteta has nurtured them, given them minutes, trust and training. So I’m not totally sure of your point.
We have a large squad of older players at present given our lack of competitions, rotation is hard even for older players at the moment.
Arteta has removed ALOT of the deadwood! He’s brought in some great players, I’m actually impressed with our transfers for a change.
As for Saliba, did he want a loan, no, did he want to be a first team arsenal player, Yes, would he of been ahead of white or gab, probably not, holding has got few minutes this season. Has saliba played many games, yes lots, Has he improved whilst on loan, yes massively, is he still an arsenal player, Yes. Will he take holdings role next season, highly likely. Let’s hope he gets minutes and pushes our current Pairing.
To not stagnant his development was 100% he right choice he’s maintained if not increased his value whilst improving as a player.
Consider yourself educated.
I think we should not change our current formation. Our players are not experienced enough to adapt, most players are young and they are finding a good footing in the current game plan.
So, alternatively, Holding can take place of White, and White can be our left back as he’s the speedier one among our CBs. Nuno should get a chance against Brighton to gain some much needed confidence. And Sambi can fill in for Partey well I think.
Once Tomi is back he can play lb just as well as rb as he’s 2 footed and plays lcb for Japan. White would struggle at lb and the idea here is as few changes in position as possible.
Alternatively you continue with Tavares who needs time to settle in and honestly he was merely the worst of a bad lot on Monday. If we drop him now his confidence may never recover and his Arsenal career would be over. His best performances have been at home so I say start him again, maybe even play Xhaka at lb and Nuno in LM – he is a converted lw after all.