It’s January, and still a lot of questions to be answered

Good morning or good afternoon, wherever you are!

2021 is here! The holidays are behind us, Arsenal’s losing streak is behind us, and a COVID vaccine is being distributed. So overall, things are looking up! Right? Let’s keep hoping anyway.

So, let’s take a minute to evaluate where the Gunners stand as this season prepares to move into the second half.

After three league wins in-a-row, it appears Mikel Arteta has found a line-up that can and will compete, The additions of Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli have made a huge impact on the club, especially when it comes to providing energy, work rate and spirit. If Arteta can keep this group healthy and fit, some of Arsenal’s senior players will be seeing less playing time during the remainder of the season. This list includes Pepe, Willian and Ceballos.

What will Arteta do with Thomas Partey and Gabriel Magalhaes once they are cleared to play? Will the boss dare tinker with a line-up that currently possesses such good chemistry? Love him or hate him, Granit Xhaka has been pretty good in the defensive midfield, plus Mo Elneny has also done a decent job. Along the back line, Pablo Mari and Rob Holding have been consistent, while helping Bernd Leno to allow only one goal in the last three games.

Now, if both Partey and Gabriel are ready to play Saturday in the FA Cup, I think they will both get a chance to start, however, the real proof of Arteta’s confidence in his recent and most successful starting XI will be seen v Crystal Palace on January 14th. What will he do, and who will he start? Obviously, this is a good problem for any manager to have.

Now, Arteta’s other big ticket item right now is the January transfer window. The boss has said he needs to cut back on his roster, while adding some strength in the obvious places.

So far, Sead Kolasinac (Schalke) and William Saliba (Nice) have been sent out on loan.

Rumors are running rampant over what other players will leave the club this month. I predict the following players will either be transferred or sent on loan…Nelson (loan), Willian (transfer), Runarsson (loan), Sokratis (transfer), Mustafi (transfer).

Those Gunners remaining on loan will be…Mavropanos, Torreira, Guendouzi.

With those cuts make, I think Edu and Arteta need to replace them with a new back-up keeper, an attacking midfielder, a left fullback and possibly a right wing/forward.

The squad has played a lot of games in recent weeks, so this break until Saturday’s FA Cup match with Newcastle United is well earned.

And, as mentioned in previous posts, January will be an interesting month to follow for the Gunners, both on the field, and off.

Cheers.

Gunner1953

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