Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Signing Gervinho

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he will be active in the transfer market and will try to add some new players in this summer transfer window in order to improve the quality of the squad. The Gunners have not won a single trophy for the last six years and have come under immense criticism this season. Wenger's reluctance to spend money in the inflated transfer market has also frustrated many supporters and the Arsenal manager is expected to have sufficient transfer budget to purchase quality players in the summer.

With many clubs looking to add some players to their squad, Wenger will hope that he can finalize some deals early in the summer. It is no surprise that Arsenal are linked with a number of players in the transfer market. With Nicklas Bendtner desiring to leave the club and Vela's uncertain future at Arsenal, the Gunners could be in the market for a striker which is probably why there have been wesites linking Arsenal with a move to sign strikers like Karim Benzema and Radamel Falcao.

Another player who has been linked with a move to the Emirates is Lille's Gervinho, who can play as a winger or a striker. He has had an excellent season for Lille helping them win the league this season and has scored a total of 25 goals in 54 league appearances for the French team. He also represented the Ivory Coast National team in the World Cup and was one of the better performers for the team.

Gervinho has said that he will decide in the next week where his future lies and it has been reported that Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle are tracking the forward. This article is about what are the advantages and disadvantages if Arsenal are planning to sign him.

Advantages

There is a good chance that Gervinho could leave the club and look for new pastures and though he will not exactly come at a bargain, Arsenal will certainly be able to afford him if he is available at the £10 million quoted by the Daily Mail. The Ivory Coast International can play on the wings or in the centre which provides versatility for the Gunners.

He has a lot of pace and his direct running at defenders could cause problems for defenders. Also, he is a strong player and is likely to cope with the physicality of the Premier League. He is also quite good in finishing as his record suggests and with players like Gervinho and Walcott in the same team, the Gunners can counter-attack at pace.

At the age of 24, he is entering into his peak years of his career and should he continue his development, he will be an excellent player in the future. Gervinho is a player who can last the 90 minutes playing at a good tempo and his energetic running could help the Gunners create more opportunities towards the end of the game.

Disadvantages

Gervinho is player who can still improve on a few aspects and crossing is certainly not his forte. Also, though he can play on either wing, he has a tendency to come inside which reduces width and is exaclty what the current Arsenal wingers also do. It is not certain if the Ivory Coast International can be as prolific from the wings at Arsenal because the Gunners play rather narrowly.

Also, Gervinho will be representing his country in the African Cup of Nations which could mean he could a number of games in January and if he is fatigued or injured, it could hamper him for the rest of the season. He will be behind the likes of Nasri and Walcott, who will be first choice wingers if Gervinho is signed and even Arshavin could be preferred over Gervinho.

If that is the case, he is certain to be frustrated due to his lack of opportunities (though his team mate Emmanuel Eboue can comfort him!). Also with Andrei Arshavin not at his best and the future of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas not certain, it is important that Wenger signs a quality forward who can persuade the duo to stay.

If Bendtner and Vela, who has hardly played for the Gunners this season, leave the club, then Arsenal will only have Robin van Persie and Marouane Chamakh as the only strikers in the squad. Though Gervinho can play in the centre, he is more suited to the wings and if van Persie is injured, it will again be a problem for the Gunners.

Hence, it is better for the Gunners to look for a player who is a striker who can play on the wings instead of the other way around. Also with Ryo Miyaichi impressing for Feyenoord and Andrei Arshavin likely to stay after his recent comments, it is better for the Gunners to look at a quality striker, who can play on the wings if required.

If interested, read Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Pros and Cons of signing Falcao, Ricky Alvarez and Scott Parker

Arsenal Transfer Prospects: Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Signing Ricky Alvarez

Arsene Wenger has been quoted as saying that he will be travelling to South America for the summer and it is likely that he will watch some players there. Arsenal were linked with the signing of Ricky Alvarez a few weeks back and it was reported in some websites that he was available on a free transfer. However, it has emerged recently that he still has a contract with Velez and the club are demanding a sizeable fee for the signing of the midfielder.

Arsenal's scouts have been active in scouting various players around the world in the past and a number of talented players have been signed at a cheap price due to this. Arsene Wenger is a manager who has helped develop many youngsters into quality players and though not many South American players have played for the club, it is of little surprise that the Gunners have been scouting players in the continent.

Though the leagues in Brazil and Argentina are not well followed over the world, a number of world class players including the likes of Ricardo Kaka, Angel di Maria and Robinho have come through the leagues in their native country before having success in Europe. Some of the footballers in the continent are gifted technically and possess a lot of flair in their style of play. Arsenal’s neat passing game will suit these players better than most other teams in the EPL and the Gunners should target players who can make a difference to the side.

Arsenal have been linked with a number of wingers including the likes of Gervinho and Eden Hazard in the last few weeks. If Samir Nasri signs a new contract and Cesc Fabregas stays at the club for the next season, it is likely that Nasri and Theo Walcott, who had a good 2010-11 season, are the most probable players to start on the flanks. With Arshavin likely to stay at the club after his recent comments, there is decent depth in this department.

Though Arshavin is one of the most creative players at the club as his statistics prove, he is no longer the world class player that he was when he signed for the club in 2009. He has been benched in a number of games this season but retains the ability to create and score goals when he is on the pitch. However, it is important to have a quality wide player who can take over from the Russian captain in the next season.


Though one cannot depend on youtube videos to make judgements on a player, not many would have seen his games for Velez in Argentina. It is important that Wenger signs a young wide player this summer who can bring in quality and also, be an integral player of the first team in the future.

Advantages

The youngster has been impressive for Velez this season and has been an important player for the club in the recent past. He can play in the role of a left winger or a attacking midfielder and Alvarez has excellent technique and has good crossing ability. He is 6’ 2” and looks strong and could cope with the physicality of the Premiership.

Though Alvarez has not been prolific for Velez, he has an excellent shooting range and some of his goals have been absolute screamers. He looks to be comfortable on the ball with either foot though he is stronger with his left foot which is an advantage considering Arsenal do not have a left-footed winger in their squad.

If a player of the quality of Eden Hazard is available for the Gunners at a price which is affordable for the Gunners, then Arsene Wenger is likely to sign the Belgian winger. However, it is unlikely that French champions Lille will sell their star winger for a cheap price and the likes of Manchester City and Real Madrid will further inflate player prices in the market. Though the signing  of a winger like Stewart Downing provides a relatively safe option, Ricky Alvarez has shown a lot of flair and could turn out to be an excellent player for the Gunners should he be able to adjust in the Premiership.

Disadvantages

The obvious disadvantage of signing a player like Alvarez is the price tag which has been set quite high by Velez. It would be a huge gamble if Wenger paid around £10 million to sign the tricky winger. Also, the manager and the player would come under scrutiny if Alvarez has an indifferent start to the season if he is signed by Arsenal which is possible considering that he has never played in Europe.

He suffered a cruciate ligament injury which kept him out for quite some time in 2008 and though he has recovered completely, there is a probability that he could sustain more injuries due to the physicality of the Premiership. Also, Alvarez might be frustrated by the lack of opportunities at the club in his first year because he will be behind the likes of Arshavin, Nasri and Walcott and could get his opportunities only in the cups.

If Alvarez is signed by the Gunners, it would almost certainly mean the end of Vela's Arsenal career. Carlos Vela is one of the players who has huge potential but has failed to be consistent when given the opportunity. He had a great chance to go to Bolton on loan and under Owen Coyle, it is fair to say that he would have got more opportunities than he did get at West Bromwich Albion.

If Carlos Vela decides to leave the club having not realised his potential at the club, it could mean that Wenger could opt to sign Ricky Alvarez with the money obtained from his transfer. Though Alvarez could turn out to be an intelligent signing, there is every chance that he could turn out to be like Bebe, who is still very raw though Manchester United paid a sizeable fee for the winger. However, Ricky Alvarez seems to be a more complete player and it could be a gamble which could pay large dividends for Arsene Wenger.

Arsenal FC: Gunners' Position Analysis and Transfers That Wenger Should Target

Arsene Wenger has come under immense pressure in recent weeks for his club's failure to win any trophy for the last six years and his youth policy has come under huge criticism. However, the Frenchman has already signed young Charlton defender Carl Jenkinson and according to Sky Sports News, the Gunners have tied up deals for Barcelona youth players Hector Bellerin and Jon Miquel Toral. Wenger is a manager who believes in developing youth players with the potential to become an excellent player in the future and all the three players must be viewed as signings for the future.

However, time is running out for Arsene Wenger to prove that he can bring trophies and sustained success to the club in the future and with fans frustrated by the Frenchman's transfer policies in the recent past, it is expected that Wenger will strengthen the squad in the summer. With Manchester United ( who are close to signing Atletico's David De Gea), Chelsea and Manchester City set to strengthen in the summer, Arsenal will have to bolster their squad in order to win the Premiership in the 2011-12 season.

There are indications that Wenger might finally be prepared to change his transfer policy this summer and with the Frenchman claiming that a bid for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is not impossible, the supporters will have high hopes regarding the Frenchman's deals in the summer. It is important that the Gunners sign the players who can make the difference and though the Gunners cannot compete with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City in a bidding war, it is possible for Arsenal to get good players if they spend the right amount of money.

With Wenger targeting various players around the world playing in different positions, it is important that he gets players who can provide quality depth to the squad. Injuries have played an important role in the trophy drought at Arsenal though it was not the reason for the Gunners' meek collapse towards the end of the 2010-11 season. Signings who can be versatile are important for Arsenal and it is important each position has enough depth to challenge for all trophies.

Goalkeepers


Arsenal supporters were disappointed to see Manuel Almunia starting in goal for the start of the season and with no transfer materializing before the end of the transfer window, supporters were disappointed with Wenger's decision. After Almunia's clangers against West Brom, he was injured and Fabianski took over the starting spot from him.

The Polish International had been heavily criticized for his errors in the past but in the 2010-11 season, he showed why he is highly rated by Wenger with some good consistent performances till he was injured in January before taking part in the game against Manchester City. Wojciech Szczesny, who had an excellent spell at Brentford in the Championship, was given the opportunity to start games regularly and has shown that he can be a future no.1 for the years to come.

Though Szczesny has made errors including the high profile blunder against Birmingham, he has enough mental strength and quality to be regarded as one of the finest young keepers in the world. Fabianski has also shown that he has the quality to be a good keeper and with two young promising keepers in the squad, a new goalkeeper should not be at the top of the agenda for the Gunners.

Defenders


Bacary Sagna was Arsenal's most consistent performer in the defence and he is one of the best right backs in the world. He is certain to be the first choice right back and if Eboue is not sold, he will be the second choice in the position. Carl Jenkinson is likely to be signed in the next few days and he can also play in the position though Arsene Wenger is more likely to use him in the League Cup if he does not loan him out.

Gael Clichy has been inconsistent throughout the season and with reports emerging that he will not sign a new contract, he could be sold by the Gunners in the summer. Kieran Gibbs is a promising player for the future but has been injury-prone this season and has also not been impressive at Left Back this season. Armand Traoare on loan at Juventus has not had a good spell with the club and is not yet good enough to play in the first team on a regular basis.

Thomas Vermaelen is arguably Arsenal's best centre back and after missing out on almost the entire season due to injuries, it is important that he is fit for most of the 2011-12 season. Laurent Koscielny who was signed last year from Lorient has shown that he can be an excellent defender in the future and will also have an important role to play in the next season.

Johan Djourou, who came back from his long term injury in the 2010-11 season, has also been impressive in a number of games and should hopefully improve on it in the next season. Though Djourou and Koscielny have shown a lot of promise, they do tend to make some mistakes due to their inexperience and it is important that Wenger brings in a defender who has experience and can be the no-nonsense defender that Arsenal require at the heart of the defence.

Also, youngster Kyle Bartley who was on loan at Sheffield United first and then Rangers has shown immense quality and promises to be an exciting talent for the future. Though he will not be very important for the 2011-12 season, he could be retained by Wenger to add to depth of the squad as he can also play in defensive midfield.

There is no need for mentioning Squillaci's role for the 2011-12 season because he is a mediocre defender and Wenger should sell the French defender despite signing him only in 2010. If Clichy also goes, then Wenger would have to bring in an established Left Back like Everton's Leighton Baines though there is also a possibility that he could sign a versatile centre back like Jan Vertonghen who can play at Left Back as well.

Central Midfield


Arsenal's most consistent players over the course of the season has been Jack Wilshere and Bacary Sagna and the former Arsenal youth player has been immense in midfield for the Gunners this season. He was impressive for Bolton on loan last season but has further improved and has formed an excellent partnership with Alex Song and Cesc Fabregas in midfield. Though his shooting and his final ball can be better, he is a player who is bound to develop into a world class midfielder if he can steer clear of controversies and injuries.

Cesc Fabregas suffered from recurring hamstring injuries throughout the season and it might be due to the number of games he has played in the last few years. With two months of holidays, Fabregas can improve his fitness and can be important to the Gunners next season. Though it is expected that Barcelona will make efforts to sign the Arsenal captain in the summer, Arsene Wenger would want to retain the services of the midfielder considering the fact that he is amongst the best midfielders in the world and he has the ability to unlock solid defences with his vision and creativity.

Alex Song has played in a more advanced role compared to the 2009-10 season and though he has contributed more in attack this season, he has to improve in order to be solid for the Gunners. He concedes a number of cheap free-kicks and should also avoid his rash tackles that could get him sent off. He is only 23 and can further improve in the 2011-12 season.

Denilson has made it clear that he wants to leave Arsenal and he has been poor this season. Though Abou Diaby has got a lot of potential, he spends a lot of time on the treatment room and also, it has hampered his progress at the Emirates. Diaby is not an orthodox holding midfielder and is effective with his powerful bursts in the midfield.

Though Diaby can play in the DM role, Arsenal need another defensive midfielder who can be effective for Arsenal. Song will also be absent in January because of the African Nations Cup and it is important the Gunners sign another holding midfielder. The Gunners have been linked with a move to sign Scott Parker and it will certainly be a good signing for the Gunners.

Aaron Ramsey has recovered completely from his horrendous injury and has shown no signs of any impact of the injury which is great for the Gunners. He is a player who is rated very highly by Wenger and can play an important role for Arsenal in the next season. He can play alongside the holding midfielder in the role currently occupied by Wilshere as well as in the attacking midfielder role.

Emmanuel Frimpong is an exciting youngster who can develop into an excellent defensive midfielder but his recent injury means he has still got a long way to go before being a regular and if there is an opportunity, he should be loaned out to a Premier League team. Henri Lansbury has had a good loan spell with Norwich who are in the Premiership next season and it is better for the Gunners that he continues his loan spell with the club.

Tomas Rosicky and Samir Nasri can also play in the attacking midfield role though the Czech International is not as effective as he used to be when he was signed by Arsene Wenger. There is enough depth for the places occupied by Jack Wilshere and Cesc Fabregas in the 4-2-3-1 formation but Wenger will need to bring in a defensive midfielder in order to have good depth in that position.

Also, if Cesc Fabregas does leave the club, it is imperative that Arsenal sign an established attacking midfielder and not rely on the British duo of Ramsey and Wilshere. Another way to deal with the departure of the influential Spaniard would be to sign a versatile winger which would allow Samir Nasri to play behind the striker.


Wingers



Arsenal's Theo Walcott and Samir Nasri were dropped by their respective National teams for the World Cup in South Africa and they have both had creditable seasons for the Gunners. Walcott who has been accused in the past by some critics and journalists for having no football brain has improved on his final product and has scored 13 goals along with making 13 assists in the 2010-11 season.

Nasri had a sensational first half of the season but could not sustain the same kind of form in the latter half of the campaign but was still amongst Arsenal's best performers in the season. He scored some scintillating goals and had his best season with the Gunners but there is only one year on his contract and it could be a problem if he does not renew his contract with the Gunners.

Andrei Arshavin is a player who tends to polarize fans on his importance to the team but it is undeniable that he is one of the quality players at Arsenal. Despite performing well below his potential, the Russian managed to be one of the most effective players at Arsenal with regard to statistics. Though Wenger expects the Russian winger to stay at Arsenal, there are reports linking him with an exit.

Tomas Rosicky who has never recovered his best form since recovering from the long term injury, has also been used on the wings but he has mostly been on the bench if the players ahead of him are fit. The versatile Czech International is useful as a squad player but he has not had a good season and could move on at the end of the season.

Though Carlos Vela and Nicklas Bendtner have been used as wingers, they are more suited to the central role and while the Danish International has made it clear that he intends to leave, it is still uncertain if Vela will follow him out of the Emirates.

Wenger's only January signing this year made an instant impact for Dutch club Feyenoord and the Japanese winger could have a bright future ahead of him. Ryo Miyaichi has still not been called up for the senior Japan team and hence, securing a work permit might be a problem.  He has started a number of games since he joined Feyenoord on loan and could extend his loan with the club in order to gain more experience.

Arsenal have been linked with both Lille wingers Gervinho and Eden Hazard and are also eyeing some players other than the duo to replace any potential departures. If Arshavin does leave the club, then Wenger must bring in a new winger so that the Gunners have a strong replacement if any of their first choice wingers are injured.


The other way for Arsene Wenger to ensure that there is depth is to sign a forward who is capable of playing on the wings like Karim Benzema who is comfortable on the left as well. But the manager should consider this option only if it is certain that Cesc Fabregas is staying at the club.

The worst situation that can happen for Arsenal is the departure of Samir Nasri due to unsuccessful contract negotiations and Wenger would have to replace him with a quality winger who can replace the talented Frenchman. As discussed in my earlier article, signing his French team mate Karim Benzema could also help in tying down Nasri to a longer deal at the club.

Strikers


Robin van Persie has been nothing short of sensational since the turn of the year and has scored a career best of 22 goals in a season despite being injured for around three months. The Dutch forward is one of the best strikers in the world but his unfortunate injuries has meant that he has not started as many games for the Gunners as he would have liked to. He is clearly Arsenal's best striker and without him, the Gunners lack  a striker who is clinical in front of goal.

Marouane Chamakh was signed in the last summer transfer window and proved to be an astute signing for Wenger as he notched many important goals for the Gunners. Though he is not clinical with his feet, he is a player who wears down defenders with his immense work rate and has good awareness. He is also excellent in the air and has scored many goals due to his aerial prowess. He was fatigued by the end of the first half and he is expected to adjust better to the demands of the league in his second season with the Gunners.

Nicklas Bendtner has frustrated the Arsenal supporters on a number of occasions with his profligacy but it is undeniable that he has the potential to be a good striker in the future. The Dane has been played out of position this season and has been frustrated by the lack of opportunities in the first team. He has declared his intention to leave the club and could be on his way if any club meets the valuation of Arsenal.

Carlos Vela is a very talented striker who has not been able to showcase his potential with consistent performances on the pitch. He was loaned out to West Bromwich to get more playing time but with Roy Hodgson taking over just after the Mexican signed for the Baggies, he was on the bench in a number of games and was not able to gain much playing time. It remains to be seen whether he will remain at Arsenal for one more year but if he does not make an impact this season, his time at the club would be definitely over.

Arsenal have been linked with a number of strikers including the talented duo of Radamel Falcao and Karim Benzema and if Bendtner does leave the club, the Arsenal will have to replace him with a new striker. Wenger has already confirmed that he is ready to spend if the right player is available and signing a quality striker will be important for the Gunners in the summer.

If Arsenal do sign a striker, it is still uncertain as to whether Wenger will revert to the 4-4-2 formation or stick with the current 4-2-3-1 formation which would mean Robin van Persie or the new striker will have to play on the wings. Van Persie could also fit in easily in the role behind the striker if Fabregas is not available and his versatility could be utilized by the manager to accommodate the new striker.

Arsenal Transfer Revamp: How can Arsene Wenger build a World Class team

After encountering another trophy-less season for the Gunners, the manager Arsene Wenger will be under immense pressure to end this trophy drought. If reports are to be believed, Stan Kroenke, the new owner of the club, has promised the manager with a large transfer kitty of around 40 million. The manager has insisted that he only needs minor adjustments to the squad but with the Gunners enduring six years of frustration, he might be forced to bring in some experienced players.

Wenger admitted that he would have to meet a number of frustrated players in the Arsenal squad including the likes of Andrei Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner and would have to discuss their futures in the summer. There have also been a number of players who have been linked with Arsenal and the manager could be looking at some of them to bolster the squad in the summer.

This article discusses the potential transfers within the budget of the manager which could result in a world class team which can challenge for titles in the future.


1. Scott Parker- 8 million

The West Ham United midfielder has attracted a lot of interest from the likes of Tottenham and Manchester City but if Wenger is prepared to spend the required money, Parker might sign for Arsenal. His signing will be of great help for the Gunners as he will provide cover for the troublesome area of defensive midfield where there is no competition for Song.

Also, he is vastly experienced in the Premiership and plays alongside Wilshere in the National team. The midfielder can quite easily slot in the role of Wilshere if needed and can start attacks by driving in from midfield and more importantly, he has superb commitment on the pitch.

If the midfielder is signed, he can guide youngsters like Frimpong and Ramsey to have good mental strength
because the Englishman has faced a lot of disappointments in his career and has shown great mentality to establish a place in the England team at the age of 31.

2. Eden Hazard - 15 million

The Belgian winger has attracted the interest of a number of big clubs and Arsenal are amongst the clubs who have been monitoring his progress. Lille have established a healthy lead at the top of the table and Hazard has been an integral part of the side after suffering a slow start to the season.

Arsenal have been interested in signing the winger as the replacement for Andrei Arshavin who is likely to depart the Emirates after being benched for a number of games this season. If Arshavin does indeed leave as expected, Arsenal could make a move for the Lille winger who signed a new contract recently.

However, the new contract will not hamper him from making his move but the Gunners could be forced to spend around 15 million to secure his services in the summer.

3. Karim Benzema - 20 million / Kevin Gameiro - 10 million

Nicklas Bendtner is set to have showdown talks with Arsene Wenger regarding his future and Wenger could allow the Dane to leave. Robin van Persie is a striker of the highest quality but he has been injured for a number of matches in his Arsenal career and Wenger is expected to sign a new striker in the summer if Bendtner does leave.

Karim Benzema is a young French International who has the capability to do extremely well in the future. The striker has been prolific for Lyon and in this season, he has found his goalscoring for Real Madrid. However, if Madrid do sign a high profile striker like Didier Drogba or Carlos Tevez, then Benzema could be eager to leave the club in order to enhance his prospects of playing regularly.

However should Madrid opt not to sell the striker or price him out of a move to Arsenal, Wenger could look to sign Lorient striker Kevin Gameiro who has been superb this season for the French side. The versatile striker could be an excellent addition for the Gunners despite his small size, his movement and goalscoring ability enables him to be prolific.

Radamel Falcao is another striker whom Wenger could be looking at but it is likely that FC Porto will look to retain his services and after his record breaking exploits this season, he could be priced out of Arsenal's range and even if he is signed, he would demand a regular starting place at Arsenal, which cannot be guaranteed.

4. Per Mertesacker - 10 million

Though Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka have been rumored to be tracked by the Gunners, Werder Bremen defender Per Mertesacker could be a solid addition for Arsenal. The Gunners have a distinct lack of height in their team and have conceded a number of goals on set-pieces. Mertesacker is a very tall defender and is extremely good on set-pieces.

The only accusation labeled against him is his lack of pace but his positioning is immaculate and makes up for his limitations. Besides, Thomas Vermaelen is likely to start every game for Arsenal if he is fit but the Belgian centre back has a tendency to be caught too high up the pitch at times. The Germany International excels in the sweeper role alongside a more aggressive defender and could be the ideal fit for Arsenal.

5. Leighton Baines - 10 million

Arsenal will not need to sign a left back if Gael Clichy signs a new contract with the Gunners in the summer but if he does not, then the manager is likely to sign a new left back because Kieran Gibbs has not been impressive this season. However another option for the manager is to play Vermaelen or Eboue at left back but it is unlikely considering Eboue's poor form and Vermaelen's experience in the centre.

One option for Arsenal is to sign the Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen, who is very capable of playing as a left back and allow Kieran Gibbs the time to develop by providing him time against lesser oppositions. Vertonghen would cost around 15 million but considering his versatility, it could be an intelligent buy by Wenger, who should target him if not Mertesacker.

Baines has been in superb form throughout the season for Everton and is experienced in the Premiership. He has great attacking qualities and though he has not got the burning pace of Clichy, he has good stamina and can be solid in defence as well as make marauding runs down the left flank.

How to generate the money required for these new signings?

1. Denilson - 4 million

The Brazilian midfielder is one of those Arsenal players who is most likely to move on after receiving extremely less playing time this season. He cannot be an effective substitute for Song and has not shown enough desire to be attacking.

It is probable that Arsenal will sell the midfielder because he is considered excess to the requirements of Arsenal and it is likely that Emmanuel Frimpong will receive more playing time in the Carling Cup and other matches where Song and Parker are injured.

2. Abou Diaby - 6 million

The French International is a talented midfielder who has suffered ever since he sustained a broken ankle early in his Arsenal career. He has been troubled by injuries throughout his time at Arsenal and has only made 19 appearances this season and has been repeatedly injured after playing four or five games consecutively.

Though Wenger likes Diaby, the Frenchman is far too injury prone and is currently not needed in this Arsenal team which has the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere who are very capable of playing in his role alongside the defensive midfielder.

3. Andrei Arshavin - 8 million

Though Arshavin has very good statistics this season, the same cannot be said of his performances and there has been an alarming dip in his pace this season. He has struggled to recapture the form that made Wenger splash the cash to acquire his services. Arshavin is undoubtedly a quality player but he has not shown enough work rate to justify his place in the team.

Also, being the captain of Russia, he will want to play regularly which will not be the case at Arsenal and the fact that he has only one year on his contract would indicate that the player is likely to move.

4. Sebastien Squillaci - 4 million

The French International was signed for Sevilla for a fee close to 5 million and has struggled toform a successful partnership with Laurent Koscielny. The French centre back has not been impressive in his debut season with the club and it will be no surprise if Wenger conveys to the defender that he has no future at the club.

Though it will be unfortunate for Squillaci if Arsenal decide to sell him after only one season, the club needs to challenge for the highest honours and bring in quality players in order to win trophies.

5. Nicklas Bendtner - 8 million

The Danish striker believes that he is certainly one of the best strikers in the world and though he is talented, his performances on the pitch have not been impressive. He has hardly been a prolific striker and Wenger's decision to play him on the right wing has not gone down with the tall striker.

Bendtner is expected to have showdown talks with Wenger in the summer but with clubs interested in acquiring him, the Dane might opt to leave the club.

6. Gael Clichy - 10 million

The French left back has only one year of his contract remaining and should he not extend it, it is quite likely that Arsenal will be prepared to sell him to any club interested in meeting their valuation and signing him. If he does extend his contract, Arsene Wenger will persist with him and is likely to not make a move for any other left back.

Clichy has made mistakes this season but it is difficult to find quality left backs for the right price. Gibbs has been unimpressive this season and Wenger would like Clichy to stay at the Emirates and sign a new deal.

7. Tomas Rosicky - 6 million

Rosicky is a player who was expected to provide the creativity for Arsenal when he signed from Borussia Dortmund. However since recovering from his long term injury, he has not been able to capture his best form and has looked lacklustre in a number of games this season. Though he has been fit for most of the season, he has watched from the bench as he has not been preferred by Wenger.

For someone who promised so much early in his Arsenal career, his inability to recapture his best form has been a disappointment for Arsenal.

Transfers In:

Scott Parker – 8 million

Per Mertesacker-10 million

Kevin Gameiro – 10 million / Karim Benzema – 20 million

Leighton Baines – 8 million

Eden Hazard – 15 million

Total money to be spent- 51 million (or 61 million if Benzema is available)


Transfers Out:

Denilson – 4 million

Abou Diaby – 6 million

Andrei Arshavin – 8 million

Gael Clichy – 10 million

Tomas Rosicky – 6 million

Nicklas Bendtner – 8 million

Sebastien Squillaci – 4 million

Total Money which can be recouped- 46 million

(all the estimated transfer prices are in Pounds)


The Arsenal team after these transfers

Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczesny/ Lukasz Fabianski/Vito Mannone

RB: Bacary Sagna/Emmanuel Eboue

LCB: Thomas Vermaelen/Laurent Koscielny/Kyle Bartley

RCB: Johan Djourou/Per Mertesacker(or) Jan Vertonghen

LB: Leighton Baines (or) Gael Clichy/Kieran Gibbs/Thomas Vermaelen

CDM: Alex Song/Scott Parker/Emmanuel Frimpong

CM: Jack Wilshere/ Scott Parker/Aaron Ramsey

CAM: Cesc Fabregas/Samir Nasri/Aaron Ramsey

RW: Samir Nasri/Theo Walcott/Jay Emmanuel Thomas

LW: Eden Hazard/Samir Nasri/ Kevin Gameiro

CF: Robin van Persie/ Kevin Gameiro/ Marouane Chamakh

Liverpool's Luis Suarez: The Striker That Wenger Should Have Signed for Arsenal

 Liverpool were languishing in mid-table and even the faithful Anfield supporters had thought that this season was destined for another huge failure. However, with the appointment of Kenny Dalglish as manager, it has reinvigorated the club who have enjoyed an excellent run in the Premiership which includes wins over Chelsea and arch-rivals Manchester United.

Even if the club does not secure an Europa league place, the season will be considered a success if Dalglish is appointed as the permanent manager and they fight till the end of the season. One of the new manager's huge decisions was the decision to sell Fernando Torres and bring on board, two quality strikers in Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez.

Carroll had an injury which led to a delay in beginning his Liverpool career but Suarez has already been hugely influential for the club. He has had a hand in five goals in as many league matches which shows the impact he has had. Before the signing of Suarez, Liverpool did not have movement in their attacking half due to the lackadaisical performances of Torres and the general inability of some of the players to make creative runs.

However, Suarez has dropped deep and spread the ball well and has provided movement to Liverpool. He has enjoyed an excellent partnership with Kuyt and importantly, established an excellent understanding with Raul Meireles, who has arguably been Liverpool's best player since Dalglish took over at the club.

There will always be questions asked of a striker from  the Dutch league as to whether they can cope with the physicality and pace of the English Premier League. Suarez has dispelled these doubts in his short time at the club and seems destined for a bright career in the Premiership. Damien Comolli and other Liverpool officials should be applauded for their persistent efforts to sign the striker from Ajax while the new owners have provided the necessary funds and support to Liverpool FC.

But one manager, who could be looking at Luis Suarez as a lost opportunity is Arsenal manager Arsene
Wenger, who considers players above £20 million as above the budget for Arsenal. However, the performances of Suarez have highlighted that the gamble would be worth it. Wenger spent close to £10 million for Thierry Henry, which was quite high at that time and the value that they obtained is measured in the trophies that the Gunners won.

Though Arsenal have a quality centre forward in Robin van Persie, the Dutchman has frustratingly missed a number of matches for Arsenal due to unfortunate injuries. Suarez can play as a replacement for Van Persie in times he is injured which is a huge advantage for the Gunners. The problem with signing a quality forward is that he needs to play regularly but with the versatility of Suarez, he could be eased into the team and can play regularly.

Andrei Arshavin has been inconsistent for some parts of the season but is finally capturing his best form. Suarez could have replaced the Russian and could have provided the impetus to the Gunners. With pace, strength, skill and great shooting ability, he is the finished product who could have brought success to the Gunners.

Wenger has commented that he is unable to find players though he has the money but Suarez is one of those players that he should have invested in. Though Liverpool FC is traditionally a great club with a brilliant history, Arsenal FC have a better chance to win trophies in the near future and can offer Champions League football from the outset.

Arsenal could have offloaded the likes of Nicklas Bendtner or Carlos Vela to reduce the cash spent on the transfer since the duo have not been integral to the Gunners this season. While Chamakh has been an excellent signing for the Gunners, he does not possess the quality of Van Persie or Suarez which is why signing Suarez would have been a master-stroke by Wenger.

Tottenham was also interested in signing Suarez but with all due respect to the Spurs, they cannot be called a big club alongside the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal which is one of the reasons why Suarez declined the move. However, Arsenal could have attracted the Uruguayan and they also have former Ajax captain Thomas Vermaelen who could have helped him settle at the club.

Despite his recent struggles, Fernando Torres was a great striker for Liverpool but his departure has provided the Anfield faithful with another superb player in Suarez. The moment he jinxed past three Manchester United defenders to set up the goal for Kuyt, a new star had arrived for Liverpool; one that could take them back to the greatness.

While Suarez has influenced Liverpool's surge to the top six, Arsene Wenger will be pondering over a decision which could have brought trophies to the empty trophy cabinet at the Emirates.

Arsenal FC: Should Arsene Wenger Sell Russian Dynamo Andrei Arshavin next summer?

The Arsenal manager will have time to think about his side's prospects of ending their frustrating title drought by clinching the EPL title this year. Arsene Wenger and his team have endured a tough time in the last three weeks and they will need to show the maturity and mental toughness to produce good results in this title run-in.

From the next game, every single point they drop could decide the title in favour of Manchester United and the Gunners will need to win all the remaining fixtures in order to keep the destiny of the title race in their hands. There are already a section of Arsenal fans who do feel that Wenger can only take them this far and it requires a new manager who can drive them to trophies. However, the majority of the Arsenal board and the majority of the fans are prepared to give time for the French tactician, who is the greatest modern-day manager in the history of the club.

Arsene Wenger has often admitted his desire in keeping Andrei Arshavin at the club but the Russian is yet to sign an extension to his current contract, which expires at the end of the next season. Arsenal are a club which is run on a sound business model and it would make financial sense to sell Arshavin if he refuses to commit his immediate future to the club.

The Russian has impressive statistics to his name and is currently Arsenal's leader in terms of assists. However, his performances have not been consistent and he has come under scrutiny for some below-par performances. However, since the goal against Everton after coming on as a substitute, Arshavin has been close to his best and has played with a lot of confidence that was missing in the earlier part of the season.


Competition from Walcott

Despite his good performances, he is not assured of his place in the eleven due to the emergence of Theo Walcott who is currently injured. Walcott has performed admirably this season and has adds a new dimension to the team with his pace and direct running at defenders. At the age of 21, Walcott needs to play regularly and has justified the faith shown in him by the manager this season.

Nasri has been in sensational form this season which has earned him a place in the starting 11 whenever he has been fit. The Frenchman's versatility has also worked in his favour as he has played many games in different positions for the Gunners. However, if the midfield trio of Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song and Jack Wilshere are fit, then that would leave only the slots for wingers available.

Arshavin has been benched for some games this season and he has admitted that it has been tough for him. He is a player who thrives on confidence and has the ability to change the game with his brilliant creativity but his inconsistency has led him to be dropped in favour of English International Theo Walcott.


The Cesc Fabregas Situation

At the moment, it is debatable whether Barcelona will make efforts to sign the Spanish midfielder this summer. However, if they do try to sign and Cesc Fabregas is interested in the move, it is likely that Arsene Wenger will grant him the move he covets and could be playing in a Barcelona shirt next season. The Frenchman is not the type to spend big money to sign a replacement for Fabregas and there is a possibility that Nasri could play in that role.

In that case, Arshavin will be Arsenal's first choice winger on the left and he will be provided with many opportunities. However, Wenger could also promote either Jack Wilshere or Aaron Ramsey which would mean Nasri and Walcott would continue on the wings. Arshavin would be an extremely useful player to have if the influential Fabregas leaves the club as the Russian has the armoury to unlock any defence in the world.


Arshavin's Experience Invaluable to the Team

This Arsenal team has a number of players who have not won many trophies and do not have enough experience at the top level. Arshavin is a senior International who has captained his team in many big games and his experience could be invaluable to the team. Also, he has the ability to influence the team when the chips are down and that is a characteristic which many youngsters could lack at the top level.

It is evident that Arshavin is an influential player for the Gunners even if he is not in the best form and that is the primary reason why Arsene Wenger would like to hold on to the creative Russian. Arshavin's experience could help in the title run-in and he could have a major impact on the team.


Promising Prospects: Ryo Miyaichi, Carlos Vela and others

Arsenal have a number of talented youngsters who could stake a claim for the left midfield and some of them are on loan in order to gain experience at the top level. Ryo Miyaichi,who was loaned out to Feyenoord, is currently in excellent form producing some exciting performances for the Dutch club. It is clear that Miyaichi needs to develop more physicality and also, another loan spell would suit him to hone his skills better. He is an undoubted talent but one more year of regular top level football would make him more suited for Arsenal.

Carlos Vela has been loaned out to West Brom but he has not enjoyed much playing time which is strange considering he has performed quite well when given the opportunity. Vela needs more playing time before he can challenge for first team places or else, he could only be a squad players.

There are other youngsters like Henry Lansbury, Connor Henderson and Jay Emmanuel Thomas who are quite talented but it will be some time before they can be integrated into the first team.

Arsene Wenger is a manager who does not like to spend much on a player and there are not many wingers in the world who could replace a quality player like Arshavin in the Arsenal team. If Wenger does identify his transfer targets, it is likely to cost him quite a big amount. Eden Hazard was one of the targets but his recent long term contract with Lille indicates he will not be moving this summer.


Arsenal need Quality Players to Win Trophies

The Gunners are in the midst of a frustrating title drought which adds to the pressure on this young team. In this situation, it is better for Arsenal to hold on to their quality players who can win games with their brilliance. Andrei Arshavin is a quality player who has the ability to notch important goals and also, contribute in breaking down may defences with his superb creativity.
Arsenal are in a strong financial position and are in no need to sell their best players. If Arshavin does not sign a new contract, it is better to lose him at the end of the next season which will hopefully add trophies to the cabinet. By the end of next season, the likes of Miyaichi, Lansbury and Vela would have been better equipped to deal with the challenges at the top level and can fill the void left by Arshavin.

Arsenal vs. Barcelona Preview: Samir Nasri could be Fit but Andrei Arshavin is the X-Factor for the Gunners

Arsenal cruised to a two goal victory over a struggling Wolverhampton side following another brace from Robin van Persie who has scored nine goals from his last five league games. It could have been much more but Arsenal were not made to rue for those missed opportunities by the likes of Theo Walcott, Cesc Fabregas and Andrei Arshavin.

The Gunners will have the toughest match of the season so far on Wednesday when they take on mighty Barcelona who have been impressive this season. Though Arsenal have been inconsistent this season, they have shown enough to justify that they have the armoury required to beat the Spanish giants should they play at their best. For that though, they need their most talented players to play to their potential to carve openeings in the game.

Samir Nasri has undoubtedly been Arsenal's player of the season so far and Wenger's assessment that he will have a chance to play is a huge boost for the Gunners. However, it is better for the club that he is given enough time to recover completely from his injury so that he can be fit for the title run-in. Wenger would be conscious of the number of players he lost in the months of February and March last season and will probably name Nasri among the substitutes.

This would probably mean that it will the creative Andrei Arshavin who will start the game on the left forming a forward line boasting the likes of Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott. The Gunners will need every one of the eleven players and the substitutes to have a good game in order to beat the Catalans and that includes the inconsistent Andrei Arshavin to make his presence felt on the pitch.

The diminutive Russian has the quality to influence high profile games such as the one this week and Arsenal will be hoping that he will be at his best. He has been off-colour for most part of the season and has subsequently been benched in favour of England winger Theo Walcott. However, Samir Nasri's injury has provided him the opportunity to show his class for the Gunners and he has looked close to capturing his best form after an inspirational cameo off the bench against Everton.

He has encountered much criticism about his appalling work-rate in some games and if he does not work hard, Barcelona will be provided with a great opportunity to subject Gael Clichy to severe pressure from Pedro and Lionel Messi. Arshavin needs to be switched on throughout the game and more importantly, he needs the support of fans at the Emirates who have treated him unfairly when he has had a poor game.

The playmaker has created more goals than any one else in the team despite performing well below his potential and it shows the quality of the individual. The combo of Arshavin, Fabregas and Van Persie has wreaked havoc in recent games and if they can combine well again, Barcelona will ahve their hands full in stopping the trio which allows other players including the likes of Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere to exploit the spaces.

Arshavin with his quality and experience has shown beyond question that he is a player of the highest quality and he has 
contributed immensely in many big games in his time with the Gunners. But if he can inspire the Gunners to emerge successful from the round of 16 tie against Barcelona, it will be his biggest achievement in his Arsenal career.

With less than 18 months on his contract, it is still questionable whether he will renew his contract with Arsenal. Whatever happens with his contract negotiations, if he can help the Gunners emerge victorious from the battle, he will be remember as the little magician who inspired Arsenal to a famous victory.

Arsenal’s Andrei Arshavin: Will the Russian Dynamo leave the Gunners in summer?

Arsene Wenger’s side cruised to a comprehensive victory over Ipswich which ensured that they would be going to Wembley with a great chance of ending their frustrating title drought. Though Arsenal were unable to find the net in the first hour of the game, they managed to find three goals in the space of 15 minutes which ended the stout resistance of the Ipswich defence.

Wenger rested his first choice wingers, Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott and provided starting berths to the creative Andrei Arshavin and the more direct Nicklas Bendtner. The Russian captain has spent considerable time on the bench despite remaining fit because of his inconsistent performances over the course of the season.

Andrei Arshavin was signed in January 2009 and since joining the club, he has been sensational for the Gunners and has often produced brilliant moments for the club. Though he has the tendency to be off-colour on many occasions, he also has the capability to change the outcome of the game with his creativity. One clear example of this would be the Liverpool game at Anfield in the 2009-10 season where he scored a brilliant goal despite not being at his best for most of the game.

In this season, he has clearly not been in the best of form which has led to a lot of criticism and his poor work rate has not helped his cause either. Despite this, he remains the Arsenal’s best player in creating goals with 15 assists to his name. He has also scored 6 goals this season which is not too bad for a midfielder. Wenger has immense faith in the quality of the Russian which is why he is interested in renewing the contract of the versatile midfielder who has only 18 months left on his deal.

Theo Walcott has been used as an impact substitute in the last few seasons when everyone has been fit but he has finally been given the chance the start games on a regular basis for the Gunners. He has done very well this season and has shown signs of maturing and developing into a more complete player. He has already scored 10 goals this season which is his best return in his career and he has done enough to justify his selection in the team. It would take a string of poor performances from the England International to lose his place from here and it is likely that Arshavin will continue to be benched for more matches this season.

Samir Nasri has been Arsenal’s player of the season so far and he can play on either flank comfortably and though he has performed better on the right, he has played on the left to accommodate Theo Walcott. If he is fit, it is likely that he will start the game unless Wenger decides to rest the Frenchman.

Andrei Arshavin is a quality player of great talent and he will not be pleased to be on the bench at Arsenal. If Wenger cannot find him enough games, there is a good possibility that he would leave the Gunners at the end of the season. Wenger has expressed an interest in Lille midfielder Eden Hazard who is a very promising prospect and could sign the Belgian attacker to replace Arshavin in the summer. He has also been tracking the Southampton teenager Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain who can play as a winger but it is likely that he will be signed as a part of a long term project.

The Russian is already attracting interest from various top European clubs including the likes of Juventus and Chelsea while his former club Zenit has also made it clear that they have the door open for his return. Arshavin is a player of immense quality that Wenger will not like to lose but it is unlikely that the French tactician might be able to start the Russian in many games if Nasri and Walcott remain fit over the course of the season.

Arshavin has been booed at the Emirates on a couple of occasions and that could also influence his decision regarding his future of club and those supporters could well regret their decision to boo the diminutive midfielder. He has provided many moments of brilliance and joy to the supporters of Arsenal football club and it will be a sad day when he leaves the club, which will be the case should he not renew his contract in the summer.

Arsenal Fans Must Learn from Liverpool Faithful After Their Booing Of Andrei Arshavin

Arsenal managed to earn a replay against Leeds United through a Cesc Fabregas goal, which would have been a relief to millions of supporters all over the world.

They will play Leeds United at Elland Road on the 19th of January and Arsene Wenger could play a strong side in order to ensure progress. In the game against Leeds, many players were not playing to their best abilities and even consistent players like Alex Song was not so great.

But one player who came under immense scrutiny for his performance at the Emirates was Russian midfielder Andrei Arshavin.

The winger has not been in good form this season and he has been criticized widely by experts and supporters for his lack of effort and desire. This has been strongly rejected by the gaffer Arsene Wenger, but he has benched him for a few times this season.

The Russian dynamo boasts very decent statistics this season despite being out of form this season and leads the tally for assists by an Arsenal player. It clearly shows that even if he is not playing well, he is capable of producing some moments of quality which can influence the game in a big way.

However, Arsenal supporters are criticizing him for his lack of effort and commitment; it does seem like the Russian has lost the faith of the Gooners.

In the game against Leeds, he had a decent goalscoring opportunity which he should have done better and also squandered possession due to some poor touches; he was also not so intent on closing down the opposition and his work rate was poor.

Arsenal supporters were obviously frustrated by that and conceding a goal to Leeds only made their day worse.

Arshavin was booed at the Emirates and he looked out of sorts throughout the game. Arsene Wenger did well not to substitute him, but it was disgraceful to see Arsenal fans booing one of their own at a time when they desperately needed a goal to stay in the competition.

It is understandable that they have been frustrated with his performances, but booing one of your own players does not solve the problem.

The Russian captain may not be at his best, but he is certainly one of the most creative players at Arsenal and with only one more year on his contract, he could be on his way out after such reactions from the supporters.

These fans have paid the money to watch their stars in action and when they do not play to their abilities, they are likely to be irritated.

However, they must remember that Arshavin is a player who has won a number of games for the club and still retains the special ability to win games on his own. He is not a very hardworking player, but he is a winner and will try to achieve success for the club.

This is a player who has been outstanding for the club in many games and it is unfair for the fans to boo a player of his calibre.

He is not a player who has lived on his 15 million transfer; on the contrary, Wenger persisted with him in the starting 11 for a long time because of his superb performances in the last two seasons.

He has given supporters plenty of joy in the last two years but when he has not been in form this season, he has been criticized too heavily. He does not enjoy not scoring goals and one must understand that he is trying to regain his best form.

Supporters must back him to do well in the future and if he is not in form, he must be supported by the fans. It is not only money that matters for a footballer; he also gives his complete effort to bring smiles to the fans.

In this context, the form of Fernando Torres has not been too dissimilar to that of Andrei Arshavin, though the latter has more impressive stats. The Spaniard looked good in one or two games, but he has largely been out of form this season.

Though Roy Hodgson was criticized, Torres was not booed at all; in fact, they cheered him whenever he was on the ball and expected him to gain his form.

The Spaniard is a match-winner and a high quality player who has enthralled the Anfield faithful since he joined the Reds; that is one of the reasons why the Spaniard has the support of the Liverpool faithful despite his poor performances and bad work rate.

Arshavin is not as important to Arsenal as Torres is to Liverpool, but he is also a match-winner and needs the support of the fans.

The supporters must respect the contributions of Andrei Arshavin, who has created so many opportunities which has provided special moments for the supporters. It was shocking to see the supporters boo one of their most consistent players in the last three years and it could be the reason why the Russian might not want to renew his contract with the Gunners.

Even if they did it out of frustration during the game, surely very few Arsenal supporters will be pleased if he does depart.

Torres could have left Liverpool during the summer and it was not the money that Liverpool offered that made him stay. It was his love for the supporters that influenced him and while he has not performed anywhere close to his best, he still continues to have the support.

On the other hand, supporters need to back the dynamic Russian to regain his form or they could see one of the most talented Arsenal players leave the club.

Arsenal Player Ratings for 2010-11 season, so far; Samir Nasri bags Star performer Award

Arsenal go into the new year at third position but they will feel confident about lifting a trophy this year considering they are in a decent position in all competitions and the FA Cup is yet to start for the Gunners. With half the season gone, let us find how the players performed in the first half of the 2010-11 season.

1. Manuel Almunia: 4.5

Almunia was given a reprieve when Arsene Wenger trusted him to do the job this season. However after two or three solid performances, notably against Blackburn, he was miserable against West Bromwich which cost three points. He has since been injured and is nearing the end of his Arsenal career.

2. Abou Diaby: 6

Diaby has played decently when he has been fit. He started the season and looked like he would make good progress this season. However injuries have meant he has missed a number of weeks and it has been frustrating for the French International.

3. Bacary Sagna: 7

Sagna is back to his best this season and has been quite solid at the back. He has always been good defensively but in this season, he has made marauding forward runs and his crossing has also improved. He has provided good support to Samir Nasri and has been one of the consisitent performers this season.

4. Cesc Fabregas: 6.5

Cesc Fabregas deserves a 9 for his performances against Chelsea and even against Manchester City, he was very good. But he has been hampered by injuries and had some poor games as well. But he is back to form after the game against Chelsea and will be a key member for Arsenal in 2011.

5. Thomas Vermaelen: 6

It is hard to rate Vermaelen because he played very less number of games this season because of the Achilles injury. Arsenal would love to have him back as soon as possible.

6. Laurent Koscielny: 6

It is evident that Laurent Koscielny is a talented defender and his strength lies in understanding the game and making crucial interceptions. He has made errors this season but will develop into a quality defender with experience and when Vermaelen returns, Koscielny will benefit from his presence.

7. Tomas Rosicky: 6.5

Tomas Rosicky has been fit for almost the whole of the season so far which is great for the Gunners. He has been extremely determined to make an impact and has contributed immensely with his effort and work rate. He is certainly not back to his best but is a great player to have in the squad.

8. Samir Nasri: 8.5 – Star Player

Arsenal have lost Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie due to injuries for a lot of weeks but Samir Nasri has stepped up and performed brilliantly. He has been quite consistent and has been sensational in a number of games. His versatility has given Wenger more options and he needs to maintain his form if Arsenal needs to win the Premiership.

10. Robin Van Persie: 6

The Dutch Striker has shown flashes of his brilliance but has yet to play a run of consecutive games in what is another injury hit season. He has been eased back to full fitness and Arsenal supporters will hope he can remain injury free for the rest of the season.

11. Carlos Vela: 6

The Mexican striker started the season strongly with three goals to his name in no time but has not been given too much playing time. He has started only in the Carling Cup ties and is likely to be loaned out in January.

14. Theo Walcott: 7

Walcott started the season brightly as he scored a hat-trick against Blackpool and followed it up with a goal against Blackburn. He was subsequently injured and struggled to find enough playing time. However, he impressed against Chelsea and is starting to realize his immense potential. he has scored 9 goals so far which is the best ever for him at Arsenal.

15. Denilson: 5.5

Denilson has been solid in some games but has not shown much improvement this season. He has slipped behind Jack Wilshere and has been on the bench for many Premiership games. The Samba star is a talented youngster but cannot get enough playing time at the Emirates and has not done much to show why he must be selected ahead of Abou Diaby and Jack Wilshere.

17. Alex Song: 7.5

He has been one of the best performers this season and has developed into an excellent midfielder. He is yet to find the correct balance between attack and defence but has shown he will be a world class player in the near future. He has also scored very important goals and has developed the attacking side of his game.

18. Sebastien Squillaci: 5.5

Squillaci was signed as the fourth choice defender but has played in a number of games because of injuries and suspensions. His experience is good for the Gunners but is at best a squad player. The French International does not dominate and is not great in the air as well. He also lacks pace and is not capable of being a first choice defender for the team.

19. Jack Wilshere: 7.5

He has enjoyed large amount of playing time this season and he has retained his place in the team because of his excellent performances. There were questions on whether he would be loaned at the start of the season but he has gone on to establish himself as one of the best in the team. The England International will be a player to watch in the years to come.

20. Johan Djourou: 7

There were doubts as to how Djourou would perform after recovering from a year long injury. But he has shown this season that he is a quality defender who could play in the first team regularly. He has the physical presence and the intelligence required of a defender. It is a pity Wenger cannot use him twice a week because of his previous injuries.

21. Lukasz Fabianski: 7

Fabianski had a horrible time in the previous season but has shown tremendous mental resilience to silence his critics with excellent performances. He has made one or two errors but on the whole, he has been very good and should be praised for his consistency. The Polish International should be persisted with and is winning over his doubters with his performances.

22. Gael Clichy: 6

Clichy is a quality player who has shown that he has the talent to be the no. 1 left back for Arsenal. However he suffers occasional lapses in concentration and he has been unfortunate that most of his errors have resulted in goals for the opposition. He is still a quality player and will benefit with more support from the winger.

23. Andrei Arshavin: 6

The dynamic Russian winger has not been at his best this season and has looked off the pace sometimes. He has been very inconsistent but retains the ability to create opportunities. His statistics are impressive for a player out of form but he needs to work harder and help out his team mates ( Clichy, in particular ).

27. Emmanuel Eboue: 6

Arsene Wenger recently said that the Ivorian had signed a new long term contract with Arsenal. Emmanuel Eboue. He is an excellent squad player and can play in a number of positions. He has provided good cover for Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy (in the absence of Kieran Gibbs). The defender has not committed any costly errors and has not been spectacular either.

28. Kieran Gibbs: 6.5

The England International is one of the most unfortunate players this season getting injured too many times. When he did play, he looked good and showed why he is so highly rates. Gibbs is surely one of the best youngsters at Arsenal and has a bright future ahead of him.

29. Marouane Chamakh: 7

The Moroccan striker has been an integral player for the Gunners and has made a number of appearances. He has already scored 11 goals this season and has adjusted to the Premiership in quick time. However, the striker does not shoot too often which he should improve on but on the whole, he has been great for the Gunners.

52. Nicklas Bendtner: 6

Bendtner has not had a good start to the season and is currently behind Robin van Persie and Marouane Chamakh in the pecking order and has not started as many games as he would have liked to. But Wenger has huge faith in the lad and the Danish striker could have an important role to play in the second half of the season.

53. Wojciech Szczesny: 7

The young Pole has played only three times this season but has showed that he is a quality keeper for the future. His save in the game against Newcastle was brilliant as was his point blank range block off Anderson on his premier league debut against Manchester United. The youngster is expected to be the no.1 keeper for Arsenal in the future.