Six players next Arsenal manager could build squad around if Mikel Arteta is sacked

Arsenal: Arteta defiant about future amid doubts

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is under pressure from supporters following their Europa League exit to Villarreal. The Gunners are set to miss out on European qualification altogether for the first time in 26 years after a shocking campaign domestically.

Arsenal will finish the Premier League campaign in mid-table, having already lost 13 matches this term.

Reports claim owner Stan Kroenke will stick with Arteta for the summer at least, giving him a chance to strengthen in the transfer market.

But if club chiefs were to have a change of heart, a new manager would have to have a big squad rebuild.

Express Sport looks at six current Arsenal players an incoming boss could build his squad around.

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Kieran Tierney

When fit, Tierney is undoubtedly one of the best left-backs in the Premier League.

The Scot is a future Arsenal captain and has been one of the shining lights this season.

A new manager would have to go a long way to find an upgrade on Tierney in the club’s transfer budget.

William Saliba

Saliba has not played a single minute of football for Arsenal since his £27million move to the club in the summer of 2019.

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But he has earned valuable game time at Nice since his loan move in January.

And at the age of 20, an incoming boss could see Saliba as a big part of his future plans.

Thomas Partey

Partey was one of Arsenal’s worst players in the two legs against Villarreal.

His performances would have been a huge worry for supporters, who thought the Ghana star would finally be the player to end their hunt for a quality holding midfielder.

But there have been glimpses of Partey’s quality in his debut campaign, so a new manager could extract that on a more regular basis.

Emile Smith Rowe

Smith Rowe has been a fixture in the Arsenal side since his fine Boxing Day performance against Chelsea.

He again was poor on Thursday but there is enough potential in the academy graduate to believe he can be a key player for years to come.

A full pre-season in the first-team squad will be good for the midfielder.

Bukayo Saka

Saka will win Arsenal’s player of the season award, ahead of Tierney.

The teenager is one of the first names on the team sheet and a new manager would look at him as a key part of his plans.

Saka’s versatility could mean he earns a spot in Gareth Southgate’s squad for this summer’s European Championships.

Gabriel Martinelli

There is genuine excitement among Arsenal fans when Martinelli is on the ball.

The Brazilian’s will and desire to strive towards goal makes his non-inclusion on Thursday bizarre.

Martinelli could end up playing as a No 9 under a new manager.

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