Arsenal started the 2021-22 season with a 2-1 defeat to Hibernian on Easter Road in Edinburgh last Tuesday. The Gunners lost their ticket to the European Championships for the first time in 25 years last season and recorded the best result for most of the game.
Mikel Arteta included players like captain Per-Emerick Obameyang and Willian in the starting lineup, but it was Hibernian who took the lead in front of their nearly 2,000 fans.
Arsenal admitted early after the back injury
Martin Boyle took advantage of the mistake of Arthur Okonkvo, who played for the first time among the sticks since his promotion to Arsenal. Arteta made seven changes in response to the interval, including Nicolas Pepe and Alexander Lakazett, as Arsenal showed signs of improvement.
However, Daniel McKay made a corner pass and doubled the hosts ’lead after the end of the hour. When former Arsenal striker Matt Macy returned Pepe from the penalty spot, he sprinkled salt on Arsenal’s injuries, but the Gunners eventually got the ball back from substitute Emil Smith Rouen.
In the end, Arsenal seemed to demand a lot. Arteta will return to the drawing board as he aims to make the most of his players ahead of next season. In this segment, we evaluate five such players who need to be strong before the season to throw their names into the hat in order to participate permanently in the Emirates.
# 5 Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Who would have thought that Maitland-Niles did a decent job in midfield yesterday?
I’m not sure how much he’ll be involved for us this season, but I’m glad he’s back home! 👌🏻
– Evan Cooper (@Lacazest) July 14, 2021
His main involvement is in central midfield, where Arsenal can help a bit. If the reports are to be believed, Granit Haka and Lucas Torreyra are turning towards the Emirates ’exit gate, and keeping Maitland-Niles seems to be the clear decision Arteta made at this stage.
During the defeat against Hibernian, Maitland-Niles was withdrawn in time to give way to Thomas Partey. But he is still expected to make a name for himself in the preseason, and if there are enough minutes under his belt, manager Maitland-Niles can prove his asset with confidence.
# 4 Seas Kolasinac
Arteta in Kolasinac:
“Kolasinak played well today and I wish him the best of luck in whatever he wants to do in the future.” pic.twitter.com/RIpOI3iLAj
– Eddie Longbridge (@EddieLongbridge) July 13, 2021
Now that Kolasinak is back at Arsenal, he is undergoing a tough test to get his place back and try. With Nuno Tavares from Benfica and Kieran Terney outscoring left-back last season, the chances for Kolasinak could be slim.
The Bosnian started Hibernian from defeat and sat under his arm for 80 minutes, meaning Arteta could have made plans for him. As Tire is expected to join Scotland at Euro 2020 only after joining the pre-season, Kolasinak should try to help and impress in his work.