Mikel Arteta's FIRST Starting XI At Arsenal: Where Are They Now?

From Nicolas Pepe, who now plays for Villarreal, to Granit Xhaka, who won the DFB-Pokal and the Bundesliga at Bayer Leverkusen last season, HITC Sevens takes a look at the first starting XI and matchday squad named by Mikel Arteta at Arsenal in 2019, and where those players are now.
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[@Doohann]

Great video Alfie (the video came out 1 minute ago I couldn’t possibly have watched it yet)

[@smartwhip.]

watch it in 20x speed

[@alexgreen4322]

Best comment (it's the first and only one I've read)

[@coffeyallday]

Fun Fact: Nicolas Pepe has more combined goals and assists at Arsenal than Antony and Jadon Sancho have combined at Manchester United He wasn't good but his stats are better than you'd think

[@nakiyame2606]

antony and utd sancho is an extremely low bar though 😂😂😂

[@yungdkay1008]

​@@nakiyame2606they were as equally as expensive

[@minnumseerrund]

@@nakiyame2606 both cost more than Pepe tho

[@ninjalectualx]

He's looking great in La Liga so far this year. Probably a really good player who was in the wrong situation at Arsenal

[@paradise2586]

@@ninjalectualx He's a solid player, and would be a great signing if we paid 40-50 million for him, not 80.

[@Alternees]

I have to admit, although I really like the more researched videos, I enjoy a "where are they now" video from time to time

[@bb2757]

As an arsenal fan, this team gave me both nostalgia and PTSD 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@chlcrk]

Are we going to need a new word for it? NPTSD?

[@darthwiizius]

You get used to it after 4 or 5 decades mate...😉

[@footballhipstertv]

Yet this team won Arteta his only title thus far

[@hannesp3493]

@@footballhipstertv And aside from that were an absolute train wreck of a team

[@footballhipstertv]

@@hannesp3493 you've won nothing since then, though. That team was the most successful Arsenal side in half a decade. Europaleague final and FA Cup title. Arteta hasn't come anywhere close to that since

[@leonfoster5397]

Day 2 of Requesting Top 7 Best Footballer Hair Transplants

[@akunwanneprosper7016]

This is it 🔥 🔥

[@akunwanneprosper7016]

Keep requesting

[@fazz95]

Now this is what we came for 😂

[@coffeyallday]

1. Gabriel Magalhães 2. Rob Holding 3. Wayne Rooney .... ... Infinity plus 1: Landon Donovan

[@FisherAthleticFan]

Andros Townsend

[@enffootballlab2022]

Good to see you on the Irish guys channel!

[@lewisbush9566]

You should do one from Chelsea's champions league winning 2020-21 squad to now . There is probably only a couple left from there aswell lol😂

[@ezraezra2928]

And Thomas Tuchel himself is now the England coach. At least, beginning in 2025.

[@philpatch]

Chilwell who is frozen out of the squad and Reece James who is constantly injured are the only players left from the squad that won the CL in 20/21

[@rodrigoruivo5127]

​@@philpatchto be fair, chilwell isn't completly frozen out. He played the last conference league game and has been training with the first team. Though, I believe he'll only play the conference league games and is probably going to leave in january or next summer.

[@lewisfishr]

one of my favourite ongoing alfie jokes is just finding a way to work adu into whatever the theme is

[@theawfulgambler]

Really enjoyed it Alfie, don’t let the format die!

[@VillaFanDan92]

I'm not sure how interesting this is to non-Villa fans - but an interesting Where Are They Now? might be the 11 Under-18 players that were forced to play for Villa's first team in that one FA Cup game during Covid when all of the first team, and Under-21 team either tested positive, or had to self-isolate because they had been training with people who had tested positive.

[@beno1129]

This is a great suggestion! I'm not a Villa fan but would be interested

[@lucathemovieguy431]

Louise Barry(?) Supremacy

[@dcontrerasm]

Dude, youre footballer last name transitions are top notch lmao

[@oscarx-ray3545]

Bit harsh on Pepe. He got a rough time, but he cost less and has a better record than Grealish at City, who seems to get a free pass. A highlight reel of his goals shows the individual brilliance he was capable of at times. He was surrounded by mediocrity, and wasn't given a fair shake because of his price tag, IMO.

[@lolm2corybaxter326]

I will say with David Luiz, despite the reputation of his time at Arsenal as a failure among rival fans, he is thought of fondly by most Arsenal fans. Not only was he instrumental in our improbable FA Cup victory in 2020, but he was also a fantastic leader who was beloved by the entire squad. A lot of the young players from that squad who are a part of our success today like Saka and Gabriel continue to cite him as an important figure in their development

[@sargonsblackgrandfather2072]

So inconsistent. On his day he was great but the clown car would show up too often

[@Squidward-jv7go]

I agree, he made some “mistakes” but half the time it was a bizarre refereeing decisions Overall in his time at Arsenal he was a great leader and he performed very well. Apart from maybe Tierney, Luiz was probably the best defender at Arsenal when he was there And you’re right, he was integral to some of the young player’s development I and a lot of other fans almost didn’t want him to go, although yes he was getting older and it was probably the right decision.

[@lolm2corybaxter326]

@@Squidward-jv7go yea his reputation for howlers counts his red card against Wolves, which is still one of the worst calls I've ever seen in all my time watching Arsenal lol, that was absolutely never a straight red. Also, I still think that a big factor in how people think he was bad with Arsenal was his horrific performance against Man City in 2020. It was the first PL game and one of the first major sporting events in general after the start of the pandemic, so the entire world was watching at what happened to be his lowest moment in red and white, but if you watched every Arsenal game at that time you'd realize it was more of an anomaly.

[@nicocorbo4153]

more "where are they now" videos pls alfie. i'm a wistful nostalgia merchant

[@annonimouse170]

As a Gooner I have to say that as well as the great work Arteta has done in strengthening our team over that period the input of Edu has been hugely important too.

[@joshmore7175]

Luiz in a back 5 was a superb player because it meant that he could use his considerable ball skills and passing range to advance the play

[@IAmTbang96]

Never been in the first 20 viewers on an Alfie video. I’m calling it; it’s going to be another banger.

[@doublejumpvideogames....]

Wierd.

[@kieronparr3403]

Good vid as ever Alfie

[@lennoxuche5466]

Top content as always Alfie

[@craigmurphy1204]

14:30 this is why I'm subscribed. Keep it up, Alfie!

[@Shortdood]

that Sokratis ''big name signing'' joke gave a me a good chuckle, great video as always Alfie

[@fjrocks367]

Can’t wait to see the Irish guy run the length of Africa

[@siler22]

i know Alfie is cooking Thomas Thuchel video (probably)

[@carlosbarton763]

Alfie's views on the England team are always good to hear, very interested to hear what he thinks of the appointment

[@brendanshank2299]

Seeing Nicolas Pepe on the thumbnail brought me pain but he’s been my man since he came in and loves this club as much as us fans do he’s a gunner through and through

[@athosgomesfonseca]

As a Barcelonista, I want Arteta to go to Espanyol and turn our regional derby into more than just a bullying affair.

[@johnmitchell2269]

During the Emery period, and also in Arteta's first season, it seemed like a team of random players, mercenaries and mis-fits. Players like Carl Jenkinson where you were in sheer disbelief that he was able to spend so many years at what is supposed to be a top club. Was a strange period back then for Arsenal. Felt like the club was heading in four different directions all at the same time.

[@beno1129]

Yeah I can't forget that era. They had the likes of Carl Jenkinson, Callum Chambers, Shkodran Mustafi, Rob Holding (who's certainly hardworking, but sadly isn't that naturally gifted), and a too-young Guendouzi and Mavropanos. Not to mention a past-his-prime Petr Cech. Frankly, at a point the best Arsenal player in their half of the field was Laurent Koscielny who, no disrespect, was a 6.5/10 player (although he always turned up during games)!

[@Squidward-jv7go]

@@beno1129 Come on, Laurent Koscielny was fantastic. Definitely one of the best centre backs in the league for two or three seasons probably just behind someone like Kompany

[@beno1129]

@@Squidward-jv7go You're right, I rated him too low. He was a consistent and solid player, at least 7/10.

[@bricktop.]

As far back as I can remember, Arsenal have always loved having random jobbers knocking about for no real reason. Aliadiere is a prime example along with the other complete mullets named above like Jenkinson etc..

[@johnmitchell2269]

@@bricktop. Keiran Gibbs and Sanogo

[@_createusernamelater_6041]

He may not of taken the pay cut but he did pay for gunnersaurus

[@adelasgar]

14:28 legendary Простоквашино allusion

[@Arthur_MU]

Оп оп, я искал этот коммент, ахахах

[@Rassalcon]

1:05 As a United fan I can comfrim I am delusional. Would still trade places with Arsenal though

[@danielrostirolla5442]

Pepe didn’t fit our system. I’m actually still surprised that counter attacking teams didn’t want to pick him up like west ham and Bournemouth. Just wasn’t technically gifted enough to build up play like Saka. He’s doing really good in Spain.

[@the-d-man4819]

Alfie, you have to look at the growth of League of Ireland (and potential peril) particularly the Premier division. Having one of the most entertaining title races in years. Crowds and interest have increased, all while having tickets low enough 20 euro a game at most, no support from FAI and no TV rights deal.

[@Benedict1313]

Chesterfield mentioned less goooo

[@sirsurnamethefirstofhisnam7986]

We found one of the twelve spireites

[@Benedict1313]

Oh no I’m not one of the twelve just live there

[@kavirajaitawade7921]

Rivals fans crying in comments because Alfie is talking with Context rather than speaking like brainless twitter trolls

[@Emmanuel-lp9fp]

Could you please make a video on Ghana's downfall

[@ezraezra2928]

Never heard about that. I think you were referring to the AFCON qualifiers, right? Because their World Cup qualifiers wasn't quite disappointing (they only lost to the Comoros).

[@Emmanuel-lp9fp]

@@ezraezra2928 Nah I was referring team has fallen massively they were almost world cup semi finalists in 2010 and has been a massive downfall,just 10 years ago they were almost beating Germany 2-1 in Brazil and despite player like Eto'o Drogba Salah and Okocha playing in the wc Asamoah Gyan is the African player with the most goals there

[@Emmanuel-lp9fp]

@@ezraezra2928 also Ghana has had 2 disastrous AFCONS losing to Comoros ,Cape Verde and bottling a 2-0 lead at the 90 minute against Mozambique and they are now almost out of the 2025 AFCON after the 2-0 loss to Sudan

[@ezraezra2928]

@@Emmanuel-lp9fp Ghana not even playing in the AFCON 2025 was quite shocking. Their heated rivals, Nigeria, also faced similar problems, but in a different perspectives. While they were still fighting for the World Cup berth after a bad start in the qualifiers, the recent AFCON qualifiers was even ridiculous. They were unable to play against Libya after the incident in airport where the team squad left stranded for a couple of hours.

[@Emmanuel-lp9fp]

@@ezraezra2928 yeah, but Nigeria still has a good team

[@holbs]

“Without further Edu” was right there

[@AlexanderBarber01]

You could make a whole video on players you forgot played for Chelsea in the last five years

[@munyachibanda404]

Arteta is like the Diego Simeone of Arsenal

[@Maj1794]

We've come a long way... COYG!

[@issambenthabet8477]

Respect for saying the real reason why mesut ozil was treated that way by the club

[@yatman6305]

Alfie would remember that debut goal v Hull surely!

[@ItSdAb1zZle]

Alfie, you forgot to mention that Aron Ramsdale started for Bournemouth that day

[@josemiguelgtz]

Finally, a "where are they now?" video

[@mocochronicles]

00:25 Nettspend mention. 10/10 video

[@adismadi9395]

Like having Ndidi’s image whenever you say the word “Indeed”, you should show Oli Hoeness photo whenever you say “To be honest”. you’re welcome :)

[@jpkiko]

No one does intros like this boy at HITC Sevens....pen is 🔥

[@T.E.S.S.]

"pen is fire" 🤣🤪

[@xavierbarratt4176]

Arsenal mentioned LFG❤

[@kencrewneck]

never been this early 😮

[@Prod.Dizzy0nz]

Yo I have an idea. What if you make it a style like this but compare the player to the one that is playing there currently and see if he's better

[@ElstonGunnII]

The only one I'm upset about is ESR's transfer, he was a homegrown player and played with that classic Arsenal style reminiscent of the Wenger days, we should've at least kept him for depth..

[@aleksabenovic6046]

It's literally weird with GK's. I remember the reason behind Leno signing was that Cech was weak with his feet. Ok. We literally played with Emery more from the back than with Arteta and Wenger. Leno was incredible but we brought Ramsdale with the excuse that he is better with the ball at his feet. Yet again we brought Raya for exactly the same reason.

[@arunfooty]

Pepe was the most unfairly hated in the prem during his time with us, his goal and assist output was actually very solid for a so called "flop"

[@tekkerz3183]

If pepe joined in this current arsenal team would be competitive on that right side

[@iamza.]

It always amazes me how we went from a constant goalkeeper crisis to looking back on the keepers that have come and gone since.

[@RyuzakiTaiyou]

Best German players in the premier league of all time. (Day 687) Alternativly you could do "Best German players who played outside the Bundesliga" or something like that if you prefer. I will not give up until the video is made or Alfie himself tells me to stop. Everyone else telling me that will be ignored. If you don't believe my number, just go back to the previous videos. I'm at the bottom most of the time, but I'm there.

[@abody499]

20:04 yeah, he has won all of those sponsor's awards, which includes the world cup.

[@bobopopo11]

Martinelli is still on the squad… lol

[@tekkerz3183]

Yes exactly

[@lamjianhua2884]

Do "Arsene Wenger's FIRST Starting XI At Arsenal: Where Are They Now?" next.

[@rimram3250]

Hahahaha

[@akunwanneprosper7016]

Where are they meant to be? 😂 😂 😂

[@Prod.Dizzy0nz]

Retirement home

[@Glasstable2011]

I would guess dead, dying, dementia, or drunk

[@lunamoonfang2]

last time I was this early to an HITC video, Michael still worked here 😂

[@akunwanneprosper7016]

Michael just featured him in his Prediction video

[@jellyfishcactus893]

14:25 You actually pronounce it ‘prostokváshino’

[@abody499]

9:47 yeah, but 7 of those "goal contributions" (a limited measure) came in the quarters, semis, and final of winning the champions league and the title winning victory against Barcelona in the league.

[@joeltchitchi2536]

D13: 7 best female footballers of all time

[@ifan_1234]

good idea, he hasn't made many videos about women's football so this would be a good one.

[@jord.an6123]

@@ifan_1234 Agreed! ITs pretty easy too: Kerr, Martha, Alana Kennedy, Mary Fowler, as a start That's last womens World cup was wildly entertaining. More and more people everyday are flocking to watch womens footy Its more footy. whats not to like, hey.

[@Szergej33]

I will still miss the Laca Saka Xhaka lineups ^^

[@aaquib90]

Forgetting that Xhaka actually getting nominated for Ballon D’or

[@channinglewis595]

Alfie how about a funny one. The starting XI for the game immediately after Mourinho had the "Football heritage" Speech and where are they now

[@mstislavgrivachev3915]

As a Russian, I can confirm that prostokvasha analogies don't exist even in Russian football analysis, or any analysis for that matter. If you were unsure about subscribing, this is your sign.

[@deanbrown29]

I really miss where are they now 😢

[@Mydigitalepitaph]

I thought Arsenal made a mistake when hiring Arteta (especially as Ancelotti was not employed). Shows you how much I know about things. Never been more pleasantly proven wrong.

[@Glasstable2011]

Still, I would have *loved* to see Ancelotti at Arsenal

[@tonymontana24596]

Tbh I think Ozil winning the world cup when he was at Arsenal should have been mentioned, because Emi Martinez won it after he left.

[@fredlonsdale3020]

Based on your video Liverpool have absolutely throttled Arsenal in terms of Man City's rivals. Liverpool won a champions league before Man City even snift it and are the only team to actually win a league title against them. I'll throw it down now: Arsenal are going to go down as the lovable runners up. Unless Man City get docked points (unlikely considering the circumstances) Arsenal may finish as the 4th best team in England this year. Appreciate the video Alfie and it's on point as usual, but unless Arteta wins a trophy this year Arsenal fans should be asking what are we doing.

[@christiansimbarashe]

the video was too short alfie. we want more 40 minute videos

[@RoseColored_]

bit disappointed that you didn't talk about politics today tbh Özil turning into an outspoken fascist should be talked about more, especially when praising his career

[@alexmacleod3728]

Request: What if Leeds United won the Unprecedented Treble in 1970

[@max240max]

Alfie try to make a video about another club without mentioning Chelsea’s spending challenge

[@The_Ex1Le]

Funny you dropped this Alfie then 2 hours later talksport dropped an awfully similar article 🤔

[@seymourskinner571]

Those 3 teams mentioned at the end, the ones that still contain up to 9 players from back then, have all been more successful than Arsenal in that period. I’m not saying anything for sure, but maybe there’s a slight correlation

[@SirAntoniousBlock]

HITC Sevens: We need to talk about Arsenal. Because they're such a huge section of the on line fan base. 😆

[@philpatch]

My take away from this video is the meteoric downfall of Dan Gosling

[@marcopeel]

Niles should have been a left back playing in midfield by inverting. He really didn’t see the vision.

[@F3xEr]

i wonder why people still think Arteta invented CB in Fullbacks like pep and eddie howe werent playing CBs in Fullbacks for the past 3 years

[@RomaInvicta202]

So, who was in goal for Bournemouth in the Arteta;s first game as the Arsenal manager? I must've missed it

[@purchase8325]

Not a Bobbit reference! LMAO

[@ditditishalashala7336]

a good to atract people to watch the vid is to get someone to sing WHERE ARE THEYYYY NOWWW

[@tekkerz3183]

You forget to mention martinelli here still at arsenal currently not just saka

[@javimirelesjr5601]

That lineup gave me ulcers 😂

[@ifan_1234]

PLEASE PLEASE MAKE A VIDEO ABOUT THE CYMRU PREMIER LEAGUE PLEASE, I'VE BEEN ASKING FOR MONTHS AND I'VE BEEN ONE OF THE TOP COMMENTS A FEW TIMES. OS GWELWCH YN DDA FY HOFF KZbinR, GWNA FIDEO AM EIN CYNGHRAIR PLISSSSS

[@maxrowlatt2633]

Howling at the Russian milk part

[@LUCATALKSBALL]

Can you upload more stuff like this

[@PAINNN666]

Prostokvasha rule the world! Hello from Russia

[@sydwellmyataza]

Alfie we need a "we need to talk about thomas tuchel" video...the reaction from English pundits is a absolute nonsense

[@SiggiTh]

Arteta saved my mental health. Fact!

[@DeejayVillain]

I’m interested to know the successful clubs in World football to have never played in the top division in their country

[@abasudoh7459]

Let's fogging go!!!

[@valyo8085]

Do a video about Parma FC

[@siyabongakunene5052]

I like Maitland-Niles.

[@RiversEdge-e9y]

danny drinkwater was watching you when you were scripting this alfie

[@TommyShelby-y8s]

An arsenal video LFG!!!!!

[@mrdynamitehee]

Without further Adu, and Ndidi…..😂. I see you HITC

[@MariaFreytag]

Watching your channel is like being immersed in a world of knowledge and beauty. Thank you for your dedication and talented performances!🧀🌽👢

[@whatagreatday7106]

Actually what you mean is Prostkvasha which is a milk-based product that is not considered to be a delicacy, more of a common people food. "Prostokvashino" is a name of a Russian milk company that takes it name and logo from a soviet cartoon "Three from Prostokvashino" where a boy chills in a village with a talking cat and dog. The cat is used on the logo of the company now. So, in short...terrible journalism, unsubscribed.

[@christiansimbarashe]

Luiz was with us for 2 years??? I could have sworn it was 4 years. Our banter era lasted for very long in my memory

[@Sluetch90]

Good old fashioned Alfie content!