Mikel Arteta has admitted he could turn to some of the players who helped Arsenal to a 100% record in the Europa League group stage – the only team to do so in the competition – in the Premier League, where the team Has struggled.
The Gunners beat Irish champions Dundalk 4-2 on Thursday night to take their group stage points to 18 from games. In stark contrast, the Gunners have lost five of their last seven Premier League fixtures and are 15th in the table on the season.
Arsenal have been much better in the Europa League / Charles McQuillan / Getty Images
Arteta has used a number of younger or second-string players in the Europa League and has revealed that those who have performed so well in Europe may get more opportunities in the Premier League.
That includes the likes of Eddie Nketiah, who started all six Europa League group games but has been waiting for his next Premier League start since early October. Joe Willock, Fowlerin Balogan and Emile Smith Rowe are others who have impressed in Europe.
Arteta explained after the win over Dundalk that the temporary end of the Europa League until February when the knockout rounds begin will mean more opportunity to rotate his Premier League squad – with an eye on midweek fixtures. without
“Now we have to forget about the Europa League because it’s in February. We need to focus firmly on the Premier League and the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup when it starts in January,” the Spaniard said, via Arsenal.com. .
“We need everybody on board, obviously we’ve got a big squad at the moment with players coming back from injury, so we’ll have a chance to see who’s better at the moment and still have some players. rotate But it gives us more options in the Premier League, to focus there and try and get the results we want,” he added.
“[Smith Rowe] He hasn’t played many games and is playing in a position that doesn’t quite suit his qualities. But you can see that whenever he’s around the ball something is going to happen. He has great creativity, is a player with the quality to receive the ball and works in areas where there are high-value spaces once he is open.
“[Balogun] You have done really well. Every minute he has been on the field he has been brilliant and he once again looked dangerous. He scored a goal and set up another, and he looked really lively and mature on the pitch.
Balogan has impressed in Europe / Charles McQuillan / Getty Images
Arsenal return to Premier League action on Sunday when they host Burnley at the Emirates Stadium, while they will learn their next Europa League opponents when the last 32 draw takes place on Monday 14 December.
“There is an opportunity for everyone. [to play against Burnley]” Arteta said.
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