1. Thomas Partey is staying
In an interview on CBS Sports Mikel Arteta said: "Now we have three very good holding midfielders, with him [Rice], Thomas and Jorgi. I have to fit them in because they are so good and I love playing with midfielders! We’re thinking of a few ways to maximise their qualities and get the best out of them."
2. Jurrien Timber will play mainly at right-back
Timber came on for William Saliba in the match against the MLS All-stars and could have gone straight in at centre-back but Mikel Arteta put him at right-back and switched Benjamin White from right-back to centre-back.
At 5'9" Timber is a light on the short side to be a centre-back in the premier league.
3. Trusty, Balogun and Marquinhos will be given chance to prove themselves
Auston Trusty (80 minutes), Folarin Balogun (65) and Marquinhos (65) all came on against the MLS All-stars and will presumably be given a chance to prove themselves in pre-season before their futures are decided.
We have enough spare squad spaces for next season for both Trusty and Balugon to be included (assuming that we sell the players we are expecting to be sold). It would be nice for both to be given at least until the next transfer window to prove themselves before we sell them. They could both prove to be surprise successes. If not, then we can still move them in the window.
If Trusty isn't to be given a chance then why did we sign him? He is a better player than most give him credit for. Surely Arteta must have some sort of plan for him.
Marquinhos is still young and will probably go out on loan again, but he can become a big player for Arsenal in the future.
4. Kai Harvertz will replace Granit Xhaka
Havertz will play mostly in the 8/10 role formerly occupied by Xhaka alongside Martin Odegaard. Against MLS he came on on the left wing to replace Eddie Nketiah at half-time but then switched to the 8/10 position when Martinelli came on after 56 minutes.
Mikel Arteta said: "Havertz gives us something very different with his quality and size. When you have to beat the press, for example, and use him as a target man. So, we will see - for now, he’s playing in the attacking midfield position, but I’m sure throughout the season and throughout games as well, we’re going to have the options to play him in different positions."
5. Leandro Trossard can also replace Xhaka
With Kai Havertz still settling in and Emile Smith Rowe only recently returned from England u21s, Trossard was given playing time in Xhaka's position against both Nurnberg and MLS All-stars and was pretty impressive in both matches. He gives us another option that position.
It's good to see we have a lot of players in the squad who are versatile and can cover any eventuality.
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