Pre-season offers managers an opportunity to test tactical ideas and trial changes, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will do exactly that this summer.
On Sunday, Arsenal will jet off to America, where they will play three friendlies against Premier League opposition.
First, the Gunners will take on Bournemouth and Manchester United in Los Angeles, before travelling to Philadelphia for a face-off against Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta will not have his full complement of first team players with him on this trip. A number of Arsenal stars are being afforded an extended holiday this summer, having taken part in international tournaments.
As such, the manager will have to shake things up tactically in these friendlies, due to his missing stars. This will open the door for some of the club’s most talented young prospects to get game time and impress.
There will still also be tactical tweaks that could give an insight into what the Spanish coach has planned for the upcoming campaign too.
Jurrien Timber given defined Arsenal role
Jurrien Timber is set to make up for lost time this season, having lost almost his entire first campaign in North London to an ACL injury last time around. Due to his versatility – which allows him to play anywhere across the back line – and lack of game time for the Gunners so far, it is hard to be sure where the Dutchman features in the manager’s plan.
Timber is embracing the new season, and in America, his deployment on the pitch may indicate where he can expect to spend most of his time playing throughout the upcoming campaign.
Gabriel Jesus tested out wide
With Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Leandro Trossard all amongst those returning late to pre-season, Arteta has a dearth of attacking options at his disposal at this time.
Due to this, Gabriel Jesus is likely to have to cover a number of bases. However, whether he spends the most time up front or out wide could be indicative of where he will feature most prominently this season.
The Brazilian arrived at the Emirates Stadium in the summer of 2022 ready to lead the line. However, injuries and a loss of form last season have seen him fall behind Havertz in the pecking order. If he isn’t to be the Gunners’ starting striker this season, the 27-year-old needs to show that he has plenty to offer on the flanks.
Mikel Arteta giving responsibilities to Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly
Hale End academy starlets Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly are both likely to be included in the touring squad, and will be hoping for significant game time in America.
There is a plan for Nwaneri to progress at Arsenal. If the 17-year-old midfielder clearly has Arteta’s trust in the US, then it would seem likely that he is set to feature more prominently than ever before throughout this coming season.
Meanwhile, Lewis-Skelly has been training as a left-back, despite being a midfielder by trade. It will be fascinating to see if he is put into action in that part of the pitch during pre-season.
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