Arsenal will jet off for Germany as preparations ramp up ahead of the new Premier League season. Which players could excite during the pre-season to give Mikel Arteta something to think about?
The Gunners started their preseason campaign by sweeping League One outfit Ipswich Town aside as they slotted five past Kieran McKenna’s side. Eddie Nketiah grabbed himself a first-half hat-trick, while Sambi Lokonga and Folarin Balogun rounded off the scoring.
Pre-season is normally used to build fitness among the playing group, and it also gives the younger players in the squad a chance for vital first-team minutes.
3 Arsenal players that could excite during pre-season
With Arsenal’s famed Hale End academy producing some sensational products, which players could see ample game time over the next couple of weeks?
Marcelo Flores
Personally, one that I am extremely excited about. The 18-year-old oozes technical and creative excellence; Flores simply glides across the pitch, all the while having the ball under his complete control. He was touted last season as a surprise first-team choice, but given that Arsenal was knocked out of the FA Cup early and had no Europa League football, opportunities were seriously limited.
Flores possesses superb dribbling skills, and his ability to turn opponents around makes him a slippery customer. Another thing that Mikel Arteta is said to like is his versatility. Whether it be as a central midfielder, or out wide on either flank, Flores is equally adept at playing in each position.
He is a jack of all trades and a master of none at this early stage of his career, but once Flores gets the ball on his wand of a right foot, good things tend to happen.
Flores is one to keep an eye on this preseason, and there is no question he will be knocking on the door for first-team minutes for Arsenal’s cup competitions.
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pic.twitter.com/hIGZHGFlR8
<p>— AfcVIP⁴⁹ (@VipArsenal) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/04/3-arsenal-players-who-could-excite-during-pre-season/"https://twitter.com/VipArsenal/status/1543278379503345664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>July 2, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>He is a jack of all trades and a master of none at this early stage of his career, but once Flores gets the ball on his wand of a right foot, good things tend to happen.</p>
<p>Flores is one to keep an eye on this preseason, and there is no question he will be knocking on the door for first-team minutes for Arsenal’s cup competitions.</p>
<p><em>Continued on next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/04/3-arsenal-players-who-could-excite-during-pre-season/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Arsenal Player to Excite During Preseason #2 </a>
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<img decoding="async" class="wp-image-121962 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/04/3-arsenal-players-who-could-excite-during-pre-season/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1360259980.jpeg" alt="Araenal, Pats" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1360259980.jpeg 1600w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1360259980-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 21: Charlie Patino of Arsenal (L) celebrates after scoring their team’s fifth goal during the Carabao Cup Quarter-Final match between Arsenal and Sunderland at Emirates Stadium on December 21, 2021, in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Charlie Patino</h2>
<p>Charlie has already shown his quality for the Arsenal first team as he scored on his debut against Sunderland last season in the Carabao Cup. He also started in <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/04/3-arsenal-players-who-could-excite-during-pre-season/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/01/11/arsenal-taught-harsh-lesson-forest/">Arsenal’s 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup</a>. However, expect even more from our midfield maestro going forward.</p>
<p>Patino will be seeing serious minutes this pre-season and will want to impress Mikel Arteta along the way.</p>
<p>The deep-lying midfielder possesses supreme passing range and has no qualms about spraying a 40-yard pass straight to feet or into space; such is his quality. Excellent at dictating the pace and direction of a game, Patino has drawn similarities to former Arsenal great Cesc Fabregas.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">All that to get spun by Charlie Patino. 😂</p>
<p> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/04/3-arsenal-players-who-could-excite-during-pre-season/"https://t.co/kJsbVR6Jux">pic.twitter.com/kJsbVR6Jux <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/04/3-arsenal-players-who-could-excite-during-pre-season/"https://t.co/1rkyv0bt33">https://t.co/1rkyv0bt33
<p>— Connor Humm (@TikiTakaConnor) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/04/3-arsenal-players-who-could-excite-during-pre-season/"https://twitter.com/TikiTakaConnor/status/1479404035987939328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>January 7, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Who can forget his incredible goal against Manchester United’s academy last season? The chase down to win the ball back, then he drove into the box, went around a defender, put Phil Jones on the floor, and then had the cheek to chip over the keeper. Brilliant.</p>
<p>His ability to find space while having a sensational touch allows him to drift past opponents to use his great vision to bring others into the game is second to none. An outside chance to find some Premier League minutes this season.</p>
<p><em>Continued on next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/04/3-arsenal-players-who-could-excite-during-pre-season/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Arsenal Player to Excite During Preseason #3 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-127432 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/04/3-arsenal-players-who-could-excite-during-pre-season/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1237369145.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1237369145.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1237369145-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Folarin Balogun scored against Ipswich at the weekend. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Folarin Balogun</h2>
<p>Balogun is considered by many to be the better striker when compared to Eddie Nketiah. Make of that what you will. The 21-year-old is a clinical finisher and is just as lethal with either side of his body.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Folarin Balogun added one in the second half to make it 5-0 Arsenal <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/04/3-arsenal-players-who-could-excite-during-pre-season/"https://t.co/4QBbUHupX0">pic.twitter.com/4QBbUHupX0
<p>— H/F (@HfutbolW) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2022/07/04/3-arsenal-players-who-could-excite-during-pre-season/"https://twitter.com/HfutbolW/status/1543303147665473539?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>July 2, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>The striker possesses supreme pace that allows him to get in behind the defence at will and with ease. Balogun scored against Ipswich on Saturday after latching onto a long through ball. His initial shot bounced off the post and, luckily enough, back to him, and he slotted home.</p>
<p>Balogun was loaned out to Middlesbrough in January last season and featured 18 times for Chris Wilder’s side, scoring three goals and grabbing three assists.</p>
<p>https://twitter.com/VipArsenal/status/1380508300140249088?s=20&t=GbhsNxwia20XY5WoSLLNRQ</p>
<p>With the Gunners a little short on attacking options this preseason as only Eddie Nketiah is in the squad (unsure if Jesus will link up later), Balogun will see his fair share of minutes.</p>
<p>We saw his clinical nature in his Europa League debut a couple of seasons ago, as he only took 37 seconds to open his account. He took a touch, turned his defender, and lashed home his shot.</p>
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<p>Expect some serious minutes as Balogun splits the attacking duties with Nketiah this preseason.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">