This archive report was first published on 21 December 2019.
December 21, 2019, marked a significant turning point for Arsenal Football Club with the appointment of Mikel Arteta as their new manager.
Arteta's three-year tenure as Pep Guardiola's assistant at Manchester City has shielded him from the intense pressure that comes with managing a team with high expectations.
However, at Arsenal, he will be judged solely on his ability to turn around a team struggling in tenth place in the Premier League table.
Former Aston Villa player Tony Cascarino has suggested that Arteta should consider parting ways with players who no longer want to be at the club, naming Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, David Luiz, Mesut Ozil, and Shkodran Mustafi as potential casualties.
Cascarino also recommended that Arteta take Fernandinho with him from Manchester City, given the midfielder's contract is set to expire at the end of the season.
With the potential sale of these players, Arsenal could raise funds to sign new players, including RB Leipzig's Dayot Upamecano, who would be a great partner for Rob Holding until William Saliba arrives in the summer.
Lucas Torreira and Ceballos could form a solid midfield partnership, with the latter potentially reinvigorated by playing under his compatriot Arteta.
Alternatively, a loan signing like Phil Foden could be a cost-effective option, and Nicolas Pepe could continue to command the right-wing, with a new signing on the left, such as Wilfried Zaha, drastically improving Arsenal's attack.
Gabriel Martinelli has proven himself capable of leading the attack, and it might be his time to step up given the uncertainty surrounding Aubameyang and Lacazette's futures.
Here's a potential Arsenal lineup: Leno, Bellerin, Holding, Upamecano, Tierney, Fernandinho, Torreira, Ceballos, Zaha, Pepe, Martinelli.
