{"id":291705,"date":"2023-09-08T07:19:26","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T07:19:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=291705"},"modified":"2023-09-08T07:19:26","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T07:19:26","slug":"arsenal-have-two-forgotten-men-mikel-arteta-can-turn-to-as-hidden-weapons","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/soccer\/arsenal-have-two-forgotten-men-mikel-arteta-can-turn-to-as-hidden-weapons\/","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal have two forgotten men Mikel Arteta can turn to as hidden weapons"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\n
Arsenal have a couple of forgotten players that Mikel Arteta can turn to this season as hidden weapons. Cedric Soares hasn’t been able to find a move away from the club, while Mohamed Elneny is nearing a return to full fitness.<\/p>\n
Arsenal allowed a long list of players to leave the club in the summer transfer window. Folarin Balogun and Granit Xhaka brought in the biggest transfer fees, while the likes of Rob Holding, Matt Turner and Austron Trusty also completed permanent exits.<\/p>\n
Arteta made four additions to his squad, spending around \u00a3210million. Declan Rice was the major addition for a club-record fee of \u00a3105m.<\/p>\n
He joined earlier signings of Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, while goalkeeper David Raya arrived on loan from Brentford after the season had started. Arteta knows it will be a squad game this term following the return to the Champions League.<\/p>\n
Arteta has been able to rotate almost his entire starting XI in the Europa League in previous seasons. However, he won’t be afforded that luxury in Europe’s elite club competition.<\/p>\n
Read more… <\/strong> Man Utd have surprise dilemma solution in bad news for Jadon Sancho and Antony<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n That will put further strain on his first-choice players and increase the risk of injury. But in Cedric and Elneny, he has two experienced players available who many will have forgotten about.<\/p>\n Cedric was linked with a number of moves during the summer window but was unable to finalise an exit. The full-back has entered the final year of his contract at the Emirates and is down the pecking order.<\/p>\n However, the long-term injury suffered by Timber could potentially open up an opportunity. Timber’s versatility was a big reason why Arteta signed him.<\/p>\n He started the season at left-back but is even more comfortable at either right-back or centrally. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu have had sketchy fitness records in the last 12 months or so.<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> <\/p>\n Arsenal\u2019s new kit for 2023\/2024 is a stylish twist on a classic as it reinvents that mid-1990s vibe. A truly modern-looking shirt with a homage to the past, the Nike kit also includes a nod to the club\u2019s iconic Invincible\u2019s side in the finer details while catching the eye with the lightning bolt motif<\/p>\n If either faces any spells on the sidelines, Cedric is an experienced option Arteta could call upon. Elneny is in the same bracket.<\/p>\n He is now the longest-serving member of the Arsenal squad. The midfielder joined from Basel in January 2016 and is one of a select group at Arteta’s disposal with previous experience in the Champions League.<\/p>\n Elneny has not played since January after suffering a serious knee injury in training. But he appears to be closing in on a return if pictures from recent sessions at London Colney are anything to go by.<\/p>\n Elneny will never be a first-choice player at Arsenal but, with Thomas Partey now out injured, he can make a valuable input when required. He and Cedric are two hidden weapons Arteta can call upon if needed.<\/p>\n
Liverpool and Mohamed Salah mocked by Al Ettifaq with ‘game over’ message[SOCIAL] <\/strong>
Man Utd owners the Glazers told to sack Erik ten Hag over team selection[QUOTES] <\/strong>
Harry Kane shirt was snubbed as James Maddison opens up on sale demands[INTERVIEW] <\/strong><\/p>\n