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#3 Pablo Mari
Over the last few years Arsenal have had issues with their defense. The lack of a solid and consistent figure in their rearguard has hurt the Gunners on many occasions.
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However, their current centre-back pairing of Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White has looked the most promising that Arsenal have had in a while.
But a top club can never have its regular starters getting too comfortable and must always be challenged by those on the bench. When Pablo Mari was brought in at Arsenal he looked like a decent signing. But he has delivered mixed performances and finds himself away from regular action.
Now one could argue that he is not part of Arteta's plans but in a season where the Gunners will look to win the EFL Cup and FA Cup, they need backup. Gabriel picked up a suspension against Manchester City and will not start in the EFL cup semi-final against Liverpool.
COVID-19 cases in the Premier League have also been on the rise, and in circumstances like these, the chances of Mari getting a game are higher. If he really wishes to play games for Arsenal then he needs to buck up right now. Perhaps an improvement in his performances will benefit Arteta in finding a buyer come the summer and the player in receiving a move of his wish.
#2 Cedric Soares
Now by no means is Cedric Soares a bad right-back cover to have on the side, but the presence of Takehiro Tomiyasu has raised the bar significantly. It goes on to show how important it is to have a full-back who has a balanced style of playing.
Tomiyasu is not shy to run forward whenever he sees the space, but he is also quick to cover the ground while retreating. Cedric has become almost a liability on the backline in that sense on some occasions. He is too involved to join in the final third and does not track back in time.
It has taken Arsenal significant time to solidify their defense and lapses in judgment like that of the Portuguese have not helped the centre-backs. In the Leeds United game, the penalty that Ben White gave away could have been avoided had Cedric been quick to come back into position.
He was only on the field for the last 26 minutes and Leeds found more freedom to move on the right. Similar things were noticed when he started games against Chelsea and Man City in the Premier League and on occasions in the EFL Cup.
Arsenal are short of backups in right-back positions and even though White can deputize effectively, Arteta may not get the chance to use him there. Hence, Cedric needs to improve in this area of his game to give Arsenal a better shot at the EFL Cup, FA Cup and even the top-four.
#1 Nicolas Pépé
Should Arsenal fans give up on the hope of seeing the true colors of Nicolas Pepe? The deadly winger that he was, signed for a record fee of £72m has hardly had a period in the squad when he has felt irreplaceable on the pitch. Maybe that valuation has burdened him beyond our imaginations.
The price tag is not in his or anyone's control anymore but the performances are and he has failed to deliver this season. In nine Premier League appearances, four of which were from the bench, Pepe has only managed to provide one assist.
The major problem, however, is that he's failed to fit into Arteta's tactics.
In the EFL Cup quarter-final between Arsenal and Sunderland, the 26-year-old ran the show on the wings. Taking on defenders for fun, he had the freedom to run at them, provided two assists and scored one.
But that was rather worrying, because Sunderland are not at Premier League level. Pepe has consistently attempted similar tricks but the result in the league is failure because the defenders are high quality. The Ivorian has to find a way to ditch his trickery and skillful style and switch to being a more direct player to have a greater impact at Arsenal.
He wants too much time on the ball to do his thing and usually delays the opportunity to link-up with another teammate. If Pepe wants to secure his future at Arsenal and not be a benchwarmer, then he needs to start improving, and fast.
