Three forgotten Arsenal players set for surprise Mikel Arteta call-ups

Arsenal are entering a festive run which will see them leave London just once until after New Year’s Day. A trip to Lisbon in the UEFA Champions League is the only time the Gunners play outside the capital with a League Cup quarter-final and a home European tie amongst seven league matches which are hoped to help revive the club’s title hopes.

Next up is Nottingham Forest to kick-off the run, but with it being the lead up to Christmas it means the intensity, regardless of location, is always considerable for the every team. It means managers are forced into rotation and with injuries peppering the Arsenal squad, some surprise players might get a chance having not featured for quite some time.

Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Riccardo Calafiori were all unable to join up with their respective nations and Leandro Trossard suffered a problem just 38 minutes into his second game with Belgium and had to be withdrawn. It could therefore see Mikel Arteta call upon some forgotten members of the group in the weeks to come.

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Jorginho

Jorginho has played only around 400 minutes of football this season, starting two league games and both League Cup matches. The arrival of Mikel Merino has naturally seen the Italian’s minutes diminish but with his struggling start and Rice’s recent injury, it may be wise for Jorginho to get more time.

In his limited exposure, he has impressed. Creativity has been lacking from the side in the absence of Odegaard and it has been somewhat of an eyebrow-raising reality not to see Arteta having chosen Jorginho more but that could be about to change.

Kieran Tierney

From a player who has very few minutes to none so far at all, Kieran Tierney remains out injured with very little in the way of updates. Arteta did suggest that the Scottish international, who suffered a serious hamstring problem at the Euros, was close to a return and so after this break, it might be he is spotted with the group.

Ben White’s injury means Jurrien Timber and Tomiyasu, when he also returns from an injury, will be the cover at right-back. Left-back has been affected by Calafiori’s absence and for the League Cup game with Palace, it could be that Tierney finds some time to make a return.

Tommy Setford

Speaking of the clash with Palace, the final player who could also be in line for some action is goalkeeper Tommy Setford. He signed in the summer from Ajax and made his debut in the 3-0 win over Preston North End.

With Neto cup-tied, it could be that Setford again is given the nod for the senior side for the Carabao Cup quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium. Arteta has already used 16-year-old Jack Porter in the competition but with it being Premier League opposition, perhaps David Raya will play instead.