Why Gaël Clichy Must Be Dropped from Arsenal's Starting Lineup

Arsenal 0, Fulham 0

Another below par display from the Gunners which now sinks their Champions League hopes even lower down the drain. The midfield was once again disappointing in defence and attack, and Arsenal had to look to their wide men for attacking support. One player who stood out as a real disappointment was left-back Gael Clichy.

Clichy was the laziest and most unenthusiastic player on the park. I lost count of how many times Clichy:

-Kept players onside by just standing still.

-Half-heartedly chased down his man, heaping pressure on center halves Toure and Gallas.

- Played in awful crosses which ruined Arsenal's impressive build up play.

- Participated in unnecessary fouls when Fulham were going nowhere.

Clichy, who was easily one of Arsenal's best players last season, has failed to achieve anything from this season except scoring his first Arsenal goal. Clichy has been consistently poor and has left the left side extremely easy to get down, almost runway like.

Immediate changes need to be made if Arsenal want to stand any chance of getting a Champions League spot, I propose that Clichy is dropped and current right back Bacary Sagna is shifted to left back. I feel Sagna would adjust fine to left back and he would do no worse then Clichy.

With Sagna playing on the left I feel Eboue should slot in at his preferred position right back. Since Eboue's rush of blood against Tottenham the Ivorian has improved tremendously and when brought on against Fulham at right back instead of right midfield, the Ivorian looked confident and dangerous in attack and reliable plus solid in defence.

Eboue is much more suited at right back and deserves a chance to show his worth there. He is losing to much confidence at right midfield and his strength is wasted there.

Clichy I think could easily lose his place next year thanks to two exciting prospects. Armand Traore who is currently at Portsmouth on loan is a very exciting youngster with blistering speed and impressive strength.

Pedro Botelho is the one to look out for. The teenage Brazilian who is at loan at UD Salamanca is an amazing talent who will blossom at Arsenal.

Arsenal need to change something in order to finally get a win. I think dropping Clichy is a start.