this may be arsenalWhich year is it? How many times have these words been whispered lately? Mikel Arteta Return the north London club to the position of power it once was at the pinnacle of domestic and European football?

While Arteta did win the FA Cup during the first half of the season, all that was missing was the trophy. But with Aston Villa being swept away at the end of 2025, Arsenal underlined their credentials at the top of the league. Premier Leaguefive points ahead of Manchester City (Manchester City’s game will be against Sunderland on New Year’s Day).

Everyone is playing their part, but that means some in the Gunners squad may find themselves struggling to start each week, Victor Jockles Is the best among them.

Why Arteta must let go of Victor Chokeres

There was a lot of anticipation and excitement when Arsenal announced the £64m signing of Swedish striker Joe Kreis in July, ending the long wait for a clinical number nine.

The 27-year-old has made 15 appearances (12 starts) in the Premier League this season and scored 5 goals, but his general performance needs to be improved.

That became clear once again in the win over Villa. Obsessed with scoring goals Gabriel Jesus According to Sofascore, after 77 minutes, Joe Cres completed just three passes, failed on two attempts with the ball and won just one of seven duels. That’s without even admitting his mistake in losing possession in his own half, which nearly gave Ollie Watkins a goal.

Jock Reis was hailed as an unstoppable powerhouse but he has encountered countercurrents in the Premier League, perhaps struggling to adapt to the intensity, physicality and technicality.

With Jesus back and impressing, Arsenal’s new attacking players may find it difficult to get game time, although he’s not the only one, with a much-loved member of Arteta’s side struggling against Emery’s side and now in danger of falling out of the starting lineup entirely.

Arsenal star could now lose his place

It’s a testament to Arsenal’s diligent squad planning over the past few years that they have so many talented options on the park. The Gunners may have the strongest squad in the Premier League and perhaps Europe.

Mikel Merino Embodies this and has been an important part of the project since joining from Real Sociedad in 2024.

The 29-year-old Merino is a key player and his instincts in the final third that allow him to function as a back-up striker under the moonlight are a revelation, but with Declan Rice sidelined on Tuesday night it will be difficult for Merino to match the talents of the Three Lions superstar and it’s clear Arteta needs him back in the starting XI as soon as possible.

Merino bowed out after 73 minutes, struggling hard but unable to match the midfielder’s fluidity. Martin Odegaard and Martin Zubimendiwas praised as having “dominated the game” Reporter Sam Dean reports.

Despite playing the majority of the game, Merino had fewer touches of the ball than Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez. The versatile Spaniard completed 90% of his passes and created three chances, winning five of 11 duels. However, he admitted three fouls and was probably lucky to avoid a red card after a challenge on Morgan Rogers during the yellow card period.

This, and the fact that he lingered on the fringes of the game, led to Football London Give him a 5/10 game rating.

As Arsenal enter the new year, they know what they want: titles.

Whether Arsenal can win the Premier League remains to be seen, but it’s clear that with this squad fully assembled, Merino might be better off on the bench as he was the black sheep among the silky stars against Aston Villa.

Merino wool is an integral part of Arsenal’s squad. His ability as a makeshift forward has paid off when options at ninth have been short — and they have been.

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