Arsenal back in action this evening against PSV Eindhoven and Mikel Arteta could make several changes to the team that started the 1-1 draw at Southampton last weekend.
The Gunners are right in the middle of a busy fixture schedule - thanks in part to being back in European competition this season and the effect of the Qatar winter World Cup - so there's a chance for the Spaniard to rotate heavily after seeing his side play seven times already this month.
Furthermore, with a knockout place in the Europa League already assured, the Arsenal manager can look to hand opportunities to the club's most promising youngsters against PSV as well as those on the periphery such as Matt Turner, Cedric Soares, Reiss Nelson and Rob Holding.
READ MORE: Arsenal predicted XI vs PSV as Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka start in strong Gunners line up
Now, Arteta has seemingly settled on his first-choice Arsenal XI in the Premier League after a busy summer transfer window which means the Europa League has become the stage for a select group of players who find themselves somewhere between first-team regulars and outcasts to impress.
Even though the north London outfit can boast a 100 per cent winning record in Group A after four games, there's an argument that some of the fringe players aren't doing enough to hand the Spaniard a team selection dilemma when it comes to a Premier League fixture.
As a result, we've taken a look at those who really need a good outing against PSV Eindhoven.
Fabio Vieira
The £34m summer signing from Porto endured a frustrating settling-in period at Arsenal. A previous injury cost him any minutes during pre-season, but he did show encouraging signs in his first few appearances for the club - a stunning goal against Brentford being the highlight.
And although Fabio Vieira scored and registered an assist in the 3-0 home win over FK Bodo/Glimt, his last two appearances in the competition and his cameo against Southampton have prompted concerns about his development. Still only 22, the playmaker just needs time and a good performance against PSV can get him back on track.
Albert Sambi Lokonga
Vocal about his unhappiness with regard to a lack of game time at club and international level, the Belgian youngster is somewhat unfortunate that he is the backup option to Thomas Partey in the Premier League. However, he is Arteta's go-to man for the Europa League but he's not shown on a consistent basis that he's at the level required.
With the January transfer window fast approaching and Arsenal linked with reinforcements in the middle of the park, Sambi Lokonga can serve as a timely reminder against PSV that he can save the club millions of pounds and he's been challenged to do exactly that.
"Play them and then speak on the pitch, that’s the best way," Arteta said in his pre-match press conference. "We will see more and he needs to prove that what he's asking for, he can produce on the pitch. And that's the challenge for every single player, to raise the level and put the right competition in the team, and when you play, perform in a way that [means] we can win and play good enough to win the games."
Kieran Tierney
The fact Kieran Tierney isn't an automatic starter for Arsenal highlights the club's strength in depth at left-back. But with Oleksandr Zinchenko sidelined since the North London Derby at the beginning of the month, it has been a surprise that the Scot hasn't started any of the subsequent Premier League games.
But the Europa League has been his competition so far this season and after a mixed night against PSV last Thursday, perhaps a stronger showing could force his way into Arteta's plans for Sunday's Premier League encounter with Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium.
Gabriel Jesus
Of course, Gabriel Jesus is not considered a fringe player at Arsenal as he's been the first-choice striker ever since completing his £45m transfer from Manchester City in the summer. Despite a fine start to life in north London, the Brazilian has come in for some criticism of late having not scored in his last five appearances.
The good news is that Jesus is still getting chances and he's vowed to end his goal drought: "I think it’s four games I start and I don’t score," he told reporters during a press conference on Wednesday. "That’s happened before and I’m pretty sure in the future it’s going to happen again.
"So that’s football. I don’t want it to be like this, of course. I want to improve, I want to work, like always in my life and then the next game, I try again. And I’m 100 per cent sure I will score."
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