Weekly Preview - Four Topics of Discussion

To kick off each week, we’ll be posting the key topics of discussion that we want to explore as the week unfolds, which will vary based on performances, transfers/rumours, and team news.

This week, there are 4 topics that are most interesting and I believe have to be monitored closely as we are now only 13 days away from the first regular season game against Man United, and as we wrap up the last two preseason matches.

Viktor Gyökeres

We still haven’t seen much of the new hot signing that has broken the all-time shirt sale records in an Arsenal shirt (outside of media duties), but I expect that to change in the next two preseason matches significantly. There are questions about his match fitness at this point, given how long he had to wait for his transfer to go through, but even more important is Arteta figuring out how to integrate his strengths — running in behind, and ball striking to the first team. His playing style and profile are unlike any other player on the team, as the only pure #9, so it will be an adjustment for everyone. Arsenal need to increase their goals this season significantly, and Gyokeres needs to be a significant contributor to that increase. The 10 minutes or so cameo that we saw against Tottenham really didn’t provide anything to go on, so it will be interesting to see what an extra week of training does ahead of the match against Villarreal on Wednesday. Arsenal have needed a guaranteed goal threat at striker for years now, and at 27 years old, the need for Gyokeres to hit the ground running at least to some degree can’t be understated.

An Attacking Signing

I almost titled this section “Eberechi Eze”, but I didn’t want to be too presumptuous or jinx the potential signing. Either way, I believe Arsenal need more firepower to have the best chance of winning major trophies this season. It doesn’t matter if on the left wing or an attacking midfielder, which is partially why I think Eze would be perfect despite me viewing him as more of an attacking midfielder, he can also interchange on the left wing given his versatility.

If not Eze, then it’s really anyone’s guess who the next target in line would be. Rodrygo feels unlikely unless something significant changes from his side, and he requests a transfer. There are reports that now that hr is back from holiday/vacation, that now would be the time for something to happen, if at all this summer. If Trossard were to be sold, that should force Arsenal to become more aggressive in the market for an attacking signing. However, Trossard left the game last week injured, so it's unclear what impact this may have on any potential transfer. Anthony Gordon has been a name mentioned this summer, but with all the drama going on at Newcastle around Isak, it feels unlikely that they would entertain selling Gordon this summer. So, it’s over to Arsenal to figure out how to bring in a goal-scoring threat because we still need one, and with just under two weeks before the season to go, we need one in a hurry.

Noni Madueke

The mystery man is what I’ve been calling him in my personal circles. His signing brought a lot of fan attention with it, for better or worse, and then he disappeared. Obviously, it was mostly to do with Arsenal encouraging him to take time off to recharge ahead of the season, but no matter what you think of Arsenal signing Noni, he was bought to be a key player. That’s why it will be very interesting to see if he gets game time in the first two preseason matches against Villarreal and Athletic Club. There were reports that he has returned to Arsenal as of today, which is earlier than expected, which I love because it shows a player determined to prove doubters wrong and show his dedication to the team. Despite his Premier League experience, he needs to get used to Arsenal’s playing style, new teammates, and his role this season. He’s technically already behind in that department, and while I’m sure he’s been training hard on his own in the last few weeks, nothing compares to match fitness, which is why I want him included, even for 25/30 mins over the next two games. The fans and coaching staff need to see how ready the new £50M signing is to contribute in all departments ahead of the season.

However, Noni’s expected integration into the team could have a direct impact on my next big topic…

Max Dowman’s Continued Integration

Max Dowman’s performances over the Asia tour must have even surprised the coaching staff to some degree. To put it simply, he thrived. So, while his first glimpses in a competitive environment with the first team have gone better than expected, it does raise questions around whether he will continue to get similar game time in these last two preseason games. Not at all due to performance, but partially because of topic 3 I mentioned above, the arrival of Noni Madueke, who predominantly plays on the right wing. All of Dowman's game time thus far has been on the right wing as a substitute for Saka, and if Noni is now going to get the time to integrate himself as expected, then where does that leave Dowman? On one hand, you can say that it’s good not to overexpose him, given that he is only 15 years old, two years younger than Nwaneri was last season, while a backup to Saka, but I’d argue that Dowman’s level of maturity and poise deserves continued opportunities. Nwaneri is now the clear back up to Odegaard, so it’s unlikely Dowman will get many chances to fill in there, so it will be interesting to see what Arteta does this week given the goal will be to sharpen the performances and team line up to closer reflect what you would expect on the open wing game of the season. While I do expect Dowman to get game time this season, it’s going to be interesting to watch how that right-wing hierarchy takes shape, starting this week.

Those are the key topics for a very interesting week ahead, as we are two weeks from the start of the season. While I don't want to overstate their importance, I do believe that how each of these develops over the next 13 days will individually and collectively determine my confidence in Arsenal's chances to take the next step this season.