We all know the story with Arsenal this season. Things were going swimmingly until defeat at the hands of Birmingham City in the Carling Cup Final proved to be the impetus that would see them knocked out of three cups in 13 days (Barcelona sending them packing in the Champions League, Manchester United ending their hopes of progressing in the FA Cup). With this turn in fortune has come a turn in fan feeling towards certain players. It has become quite apparent that there are a number of weak links within this Arsenal squad – weak links that must be dealt with if Arsenal are to go on to win the silverware that their fans so desperately crave.
Whilst Arsenal’s first-team XI can challenge just about anybody in world football, as a unit they are remarkably susceptible to picking up injuries. As a result, Arsenal fans have seen a fair amount more than they’d have liked of their squad-players this season and in almost all respects will have been disappointed with what they saw. This article may at first appear remarkably reactionary and in some respects it is. Most of the players I will go on to mention below simply aren’t Arsenal quality.
Let’s start with the strikers. Arsenal still require a decent partner for Robin Van Persie upfront. Nicklas Bendtner, for all his goalscoring ability has an awful first touch, no pace and doesn’t really add anything to Arsenal’s game when he’s not on the ball. Marouane Chamakh has Bendtner’s goalscoring knack but combines it with an excellent ability for ball-retention and generally links up well with the midfield. As such, I wouldn’t be sad to see Nicklas Bendtner move on in the summer.
In the midfield Arsenal have far too much dead-weight. I think most Arsenal fans have come to accept that Diaby and Denilson simply aren’t good enough. With Aaron Ramsey on his way through the ranks and Diaby and Denilson’s combined sense of apathy, I think the time is right that both were moved on. Arsenal already have a number of players who play out on the wings (Arshavin, Nasri, Rosicky) who would thrive in the centre of the park should they be played there.
Many Arsenal fans are also ready to see the back of Andrey Arshavin (too lazy) and Tomas Rosicky (doesn’t score). I’d keep both of them on, at least until January. Rosicky is an experienced player with a good passing ability and a decent tackle. Andrey Arshavin is a game-changer. They both add something to the squad – something Denilson and Diaby fail to do.
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As for the defence, I’d like to see Wenger find a new home for Sebastien Squillaci. The Italian old-boy has been woefully under-par this season. Arsenal desperately need to shake their reputation of being weak at the back and that simply will not happen as long as Squillaci is marshalling the defence. I also wouldn’t shed a tear if Emmanuel Eboue and Gael Clichy were moved on, providing decent replacements were brought in. With Vermaelen and Djourou fit, I’m sure Arsenal’s defence will do away with the tendency towards making costly errors.
In the goalkeeping position, it’s time for Manuel Almunia to move on. Although I believe the Spaniard to be an excellent shot-stopper, he makes too many poor decisions and has an almost incontrovertibly lost the respect of the fans. Promote Wojciech Szczesney to number one, bring in a decent reserve keeper and drop Lukasz Fabianski to third choice.
With enough tweaks, Arsenal could easily be in the running for more silverware next season. Do you agree with my choices?
Read more of Harry’s articles at the excellent This Is Futbol
