True Gunner Diary | Reservists

 

Midfielders, the indispensable link between the defensive and offensive lines of all teams. Which players can be included in this category today? Typical midfielders can be considered not only classic midfielders, but also fringe players. Since in modern football most teams use more offensive-minded wingers instead of the classic central midfielders, who could also be classified as attacking players, this category is much more open. Personally, I chose to put offensive fringe players here.

#7 Bukayo Saka

Starboy. No one in the Arsenal fan camp would call him anything else. Bukayo Saka has risen from the youth academy to become one of the Gunners' biggest stars and offensive mainstays. Saka made his debut for the A team at the age of 17 in the Europa League. Although he started his career mainly at left wing-back, as time went on he established himself as one of the best right wingers in the world of football today. Why is that? Speed, directness, fearlessness and the ability to decide games by himself. Add to all that a refined left foot and a very decent "weaker" right, and it's no wonder. It is no coincidence that in the absence of some of his more experienced colleagues he wears the captain's armband on his sleeve.

#8 Martin Ødegaard

Midfielders have different roles, but those who play in the position of the so-called ten should create the game of their team, set the pace and, to put it in an exaggerated way, give football joy. This is exactly the role that Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard plays. The Norwegian international first headed to Arsenal in the 2020/2021 winter transfer window on loan from Real Madrid. After the end of that season, Arsenal management decided to secure his services permanently. Mikel Arteta saw in Ødegaard, plain and simple, a player who would lead his team to success. The creative midfielder, who has been described by many as the heir apparent to Mesut Özil, has built an unshakeable position in north London over the years, taking the captain's armband and becoming a leader on the pitch and in the locker room.

#10 Eberechi Eze

The English midfielder, who played in the youth categories of the Gunners, fulfilled his childhood dream of playing for Arsenal. But the journey has not been easy. However, he eventually returned "home" via his next London stops, Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace. In the summer of 2025, he sealed his move to the Emirates Stadium, plus picked up the iconic number 10 at Arsenal. From a footballing perspective, Eze is adorned with great technique, dribbling, game intelligence and finishing from mid-range. In addition, he can play in several positions across the midfield, which makes him an even more valid player.

#11 Gabriel Martinelli

From Brazil's fourth division, straight to Arsenal. That's exactly the trajectory Gabriel Martinelli's career took in 2019, when the Brazilian footballer was just 18 years old. A new country, a new language, a new environment. Despite all this, Gabriel Martinelli began to establish himself at Arsenal quite quickly and win fans to his side. His best season in an Arsenal jersey so far came in the 2022/2023 season, when he managed to score 15 goals in the Premier League, to which he added 5 assists. In terms of footballing attributes, the Brazilian winger's biggest weapons are speed, predation and commitment. If Martinelli works harder on finishing and converting chances, he can move into the category of the best wingers in the competition.

#16 Christian Nørgaard

The Danish footballer is headed to the Emirates Stadium in the summer transfer window ahead of the 2025/2026 season. Arsenal management opted to sign him when Jorginho and Thomas Partey left the club in the same transfer window. The former Brentford captain, from where he headed to Arsenal, has plenty of experience not only in the Premier League but also in other league competitions and at national level. In particular, he should be a great asset to a relatively young and dynamic Arsenal team. In terms of footballing qualities, his leadership skills, physical fitness and reading of the game adorn him.

#19 Leandro Trossard

Leandro Trossard, a Belgian offensive all-rounder who can play on both sides of the backline, in the number 10 position, but also at the top of the attack. Midfielders, or more generally all players who can play in several positions, are every manager's dream. With such versatile players, every team gets several other options to put together a lineup against the opponent. As I have already written, Leandro Trossard is a prime example of a versatile offensive player and he owes this mainly to his football intelligence, great technique and ability to play with both feet. Another strength of the diminutive Belgian that is definitely worth mentioning is finishing.

#20 Noni Madueke

Noni Madueke has joined the group of players who have headed to Arsenal from neighbouring Chelsea. The offensive all-rounder, who can play on both ends of midfield, has signed for the North London outfit to increase the competition and quality in Mikel Arteta's team. His greatest strengths are his dribbling, speed and ability to finish with both feet. These are exactly the attributes that should help the Gunners in conquering the deep defensive blocks that many teams use against Arsenal. As for Madueke's earlier career moves, he was at PSV in the Netherlands before his involvement at Chelsea, where he came to the attention of leading European clubs. In the youth categories, he came through the academies of two other London teams, Tottenham and Crystal Palace.

#22 Ethan Nwaneri

The youngest debutant in Premier League history. The year is 2022, Arsenal have a comfortable three-goal cushion at the Gtech Community Stadium and Mikel Arteta sends on then only 15-year-old youngster Ethan Nwaneri. The young Englishman thus becomes, at 15 years and 181 days, the youngest player ever to start a match in England's top competition. If anyone thought it was just about chasing a record, they were wrong. Ethan Nwaneri made his full breakthrough to the A-League two years later, specifically in the 2024/2025 season, in which he scored 9 competitive goals in addition to his Champions League debut. What's Nwaneri's highlight? Refined kicking technique and great ball control, overview, directness and cheekiness.

#23 Mikel Merino

When Mikel Merino transferred to Arsenal from Real Sociedad before the 2024/2025 season, he probably never expected in his wildest dreams that he would play almost half of the season as a top striker. And that he didn't perform badly at all in that position. His typical place on the pitch is of course in the centre of midfield, where he usually has more defensive tasks. In the centre of midfield, Mikel Merino can also play as a number six and number eight, with his greatest strengths being his quality passing, strength in personal duels and overview.

#36 Martín Zubimendi

Martín Zubimendi has joined Arsenal in the summer transfer window ahead of the 2025/2026 season, following in the footsteps of his old teammate Mikel Merino, who also headed to north London from Real Sociedad. But a year earlier. In terms of position in the team, Martín Zubimendi should be one of the stable members of the starting eleven in Mikel Arteta's squad. The idea is that Zubimendi will form a strong central trio along with Declan Rico and team captain Martin Ødegaard, possibly with the aforementioned Mikel Merino.

#41 Declan Rice

There are midfielders who are great at defensive roles, others at offensive ones. And then there's Declan Rice, who does both. In his days at West Ham, he stood out because of his defensive work, which was mainly based on commitment, competitiveness and reading the game. After his move to Arsenal, where he headed in 2023, he elevated his game offensively as well, so goals and assists started to add to his tally. Add to all of this his leadership skills and his overall evaluation as a footballer is simple. A complete player, a hard worker and a leader.

#56 Max Dowman

Year of birth 2009. Yes, you read that right, Max Dowman has worked his way up from Arsenal's youth academy to the A team despite his extremely young age. He first started appearing on the training pitch alongside the Gunners' biggest stars at the end of 2024, when he was just 14 years old. Unbelievable. But from the 2025/2026 season onwards, he is a full member of Mikel Arteta's team. Right at the start of the aforementioned season, Max Dowman made his Premier League debut and, at the age of 15 years and 235 days, became the second youngest player ever to play in the competition. His qualities are absolutely fantastic even considering his age. We definitely have a lot to look forward to in the coming years!