Mikel Arteta will be keeping tabs on the Arsenal players currently away on international duty.
Viktor Gyokeres has a point to prove.
Viktor Gyokeres has a point to prove.(Image: Getty Images)
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Many of the Arsenal players who have reported for international duty have a point to prove to Mikel Arteta over the next couple of weeks as they hope to force themselves into the starting lineup.
Although the Gunners boss has his favourites, with eight players starting each of the opening five games of the new Premier League season, opportunities could become available following the disappointing defeat to Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
Before the international break, Arteta identified areas of improvement he plans to address, outlining exactly what he wants to see from his players upon their return to the Sobha Realty Training Centre.
Speaking to reporters on the south coast last week, the Spaniard said: "From our side, there were certain basics you need to accomplish in football, especially in the Premier League, that we were very far from.
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"Winning the first duel, the second ball, that put to the game, especially how direct they were in a really difficult place for us. On top of that, especially in our own half, we didn’t respect any of the principles of play to get out of that man-to-man situation.
"That puts us on the back foot, so it was very difficult to control the game. When we had moments of dominance and control, we did open them up, but we didn’t finish those actions with the quality that is required to compensate for the things we did wrong."
Arteta will be desperate to return to winning ways when the Gunners face Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, October 10 and, with minutes on the pitch up for grabs, he could very well make a few changes in pursuit of a reaction.
So, with that being said, football.london has taken a look at four Arsenal players who have a point to prove while away on international duty.
Martin Zubimendi
Although Zubimendi has already featured eight times for Arsenal this season, he's played no more than 200 minutes, with his only start coming in the third round of the Carabao Cup. With Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard, Bruno Guimaraes, and Myles Lewis-Skelly currently in Arteta's good books, the Gunners midfielder may struggle for game time this term.
But if Zubimendi can impress while away on international duty with Spain, perhaps he could wiggle his way up the pecking order. Brighton bulldozed past Arsenal last week, so there may not be a better time to stake a claim for a greater role in the squad.
Mikel Merino
Merino will also hope to catch Arteta's eye while away on international duty with Spain. Much like his fellow countryman, the Arsenal midfielder has only started two games in seven appearances across all competitions, playing no more than 250 minutes.
Viktor Gyokeres
Gyokeres has had his chain snatched by Kai Havertz, and he's not going to get it back until he proves himself capable of leading the frontline. Despite playing a key role in the Premier League title-winning campaign last term, the Arsenal striker fell short of expectations, scoring many of his goals against opposition in the bottom half of the table.
While away on international duty with Sweden, Gyokeres needs to show Arteta that he's turned over a new leaf. With nine games to be played in just 28 days across October and November, the 28-year-old must be ready to fire the Gunners to victory when called upon.
Eberechi Eze
Not only has Christos Tzolis hit the ground running at the Emirates Stadium, but Martin Oddegaard has begun the season in excellent form, meaning Eze has had little to no opportunities on the left or in midfield, respectively.
Fortunately for the Arsenal star, a lot of big names have withdrawn from the England squad, so he has the chance to show Arteta, as well as Thomas Tuchel, that he can still be a talisman.