Mikel Arteta wants to get more out of his Arsenal squad next season after qualifying for the Champions League.
The Gunners have qualified for Europe's premier club competition for the first time in seven years and will be hoping to reach the final at Wembley in 12 months' time. Arsenal will fancy their chances in Europe after battling for the Premier League title this season.
Arteta was asked whether his squad can handle Champions League football on Friday. He said: "There are a few players who haven’t had the minutes or the performances [this season], and we have to seek as well for those players to give us a different edge."
So, which players could Arteta demand more from? Here are six Arsenal stars who will be keen to play a bigger role next season.
Emile Smith Rowe
When Smith Rowe was handed a new contract and the No.10 shirt in July 2021, it seemed as if he was Arsenal's next darling. The fans certainly thought so, constantly signing his and Bukayo Saka's names to the tune of 'Rocking All Over the World' by Status Quo.
Smith Rowe showed what all the fuss was about during the 2021-22 campaign, scoring 11 goals and providing two assists in all competitions. Jamie Carragher even claimed the England international was the "best dribbler" in the Premier League.
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Yet Smith Rowe has endured a horrible campaign this time around. A groin injury ruled him out of the World Cup in Qatar, and he's in danger of finishing the season without single start in all competitions. So much more was expected of the talent.
Smith Rowe is set to discuss his future with Arteta in the summer. The Arsenal manager will need to say something to keep the 22-year-old on board, as he could be key to their European hopes. He remains one of English football's most exciting youngsters.
Jakub Kiwior
The Poland international, 23, was signed from Italian outfit Spezia in January and has done OK.
Kiwior has broke into the starting XI following William Saliba's back injury and is preferred over Rob Holiding, who could leave the Emirates in the summer.
Kiwior was at fault for the first goal in Arsenal's 3-0 loss to Brighton last weekend, a result that all but ended their slim title hopes. The centre-back will need to cut out mistakes like that if he's to become a success in the Premier League, with the jury still out.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Tomiyasu, 24, has put in some stellar displays for the Gunners since his transfer from Italian side Bologna two years ago, but injuries have restricted him to just 42 Premier League outings. The knee injury he picked up in March was a huge blow to Arsenal's title hopes.
Without Tomiyasu and Saliba, Arteta was forced to call on Holding and Kiwior. Although he can't be blamed for his injury record, Arsenal miss the Japan international when he's unavailable. Arteta will be hoping Tomiyasu stays fit for most, if not all, of next season.
Mohamed Elneny
Arteta has also missed Elneny's experience this season. The 30-year-old suffered a serious knee injury in January and was forced to watch Arsenal's title collapse from the stands.
Elneny proved his worth to Arteta during the 2021-22 campaign, when he started all of their last seven Premier League games to earn a new contract. That deal doesn't expire until next summer, and the Egyptian will be hoping to make more of an impact next term.
Fabio Vieira
The name Vieira means a lot to Arsenal fans thanks to the great Patrick, but Fabio is yet to prove himself in north London. The Portuguese midfielder has started just three Premier League games, with Granit Xhaka, Thomas Partey and Jorginho often preferred.
Most of Vieira's starts for the Gunners have come in the Europa League. Playing in Europe could be his best bet again next term, but the Champions League will be a big step up for the 22-year-old. He'll be under pressure to show he's got what it takes to succeed.
Kieran Tierney
A year ago, Tierney was regarded as one of Arteta's most important players and a big miss when he was injured. Yet the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko last summer has restricted the Scotland international, 25, to just six Premier League starts this season.
Although Tierney has made 34 appearances in all competitions this term, his lack of minutes means he'll be considering a summer transfer. Arteta will not want to lose a player of that quality, and it's now up to the Arsenal boss to persuade Tierney to stay.
