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Arsenal concluded their Europa League campaign last night with a 4-2 victory over Dundalk which sees Arsenal progress with a 100% record in the group stage and a +15 goal difference. The stark contrast between Europa League and Premier League performances poses the question as to whether the standout players in Europe deserve a chance in the league side.

Joe Willock

Willock has been Arsenal's most impressive player in the Europa League with 3 goal and 3 assists in 5 games, already forcing his way into a couple of Premier League starts. His energy and movement offers something different than Arsenal's regular Premier League midfielders (Xhaka and Ceballos) and especially in games against teams with a low block, Willock could be a good option to add some goal threat from midfield.

Reiss Nelson

Nelson has looked confident and sharp in the Europa League, always looking to take on his man and cause problems for opposition defenders. Willian is more of a facilitator and Pépé is more of a maverick so Nelson offers a balance between the two. Whilst the calibre of defending in the Premier League is higher than Nelson is used to, his constant desire to make things happen could be a benefit to the league side.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles

Maitland-Niles spent the group stages filling in wherever he was needed but looked especially good in midfield against Rapid Vienna in Matchweek 5. It is a position that he has wanted to play ever since breaking into the team and one which he may now be of some use. Maitland-Niles' biggest asset is the current midfield's biggest weakness: athleticism. For that reason he may be worth trying for a game or two over the Christmas period. Failing that, he should get more opportunities at right back as Arteta should look to protect Bellerín as he often gets injured over the festive fixtures.

Mohamed Elneny

Elneny is a hard worker who runs tirelessly for the team, he is an underrated passer and a reasonable defender. That is enough for him to be starting over either Ceballos or Xhaka. He may not be flashy but he does a job and he does it well which is an improvement as things stand.

Emile Smith Rowe

Smith Rowe returned to the Arsenal side for the first time since November 2018 and looked great, scoring or assisting in every game he played (3). He is a unique player in the Arsenal squad, able to come short, run in behind, dribble and create and whilst his injuries remain a concern, a few appearances off the bench in the Premier League would be a welcome sight.

Folarin Balogun

Balogun made his Arsenal debut in these Arsenal group stages scoring twice and grabbing an assist. His contract is up at the end of the season and Arsenal should be doing all they can to sign him up because he looks a real talent. Both his hold up play and finishing was impressive and he looks to offer something different than Nketiah. Whilst he is only young, if he is good aerially (which is yet to be seen), then he may be worthy of a few bench appearances in order to capitalise on Arsenal's desire to break the Premier League's crossing record.

The Premier League situation has been woeful for the past 2 months now and something has to change. The usual group of players are not suddenly going to go on a run and win 10 games in a row, and the players above will not help to do that either, but some or all of these options deserve a chance and at the very least Arteta will learn more about his squad and what moves need to be made in the transfer market.

Arsenal vs Burnley prediction: 2-0 Arsenal

Also, a coursemate and I wrote an article on racism in football over the past week, looking at the incidents at Millwall and in Paris: http://raven-news.uk/sports/racism-at-the-fore-in-dark-week-for-football/

Adam Perry - 11/12/2020