Who Should Go, Who Should Stay For Arsenal (Part 1)

Before the 1960s, football clubs had a list to update at the end of every season. It was called the 'retain and transfer' list. Clubs choose the players to keep and the players to place on transfer. Players were traded and bought like pieces of meat. 

George Eastham, who subsequently contested this system and won, said that players were effectively under a slavery contract. 

One wonders if clubs should return to such a system now. With this in mind, I will sketch out what Arsenal could probably do if they still had access to this list.

Goalkeepers

Manuel Almunia

He was second fiddle for a long time. Not till the last two years has Almunia finally established himself in the Arsenal line-up. This season has seen Almunia really mature as a goalkeeper.

In fact, he has been one of Arsenal's better performing players thus far in this season. He is consistent in goal and has performed in big matches. He recently kept Arsenal's champions league dream alive when he single-handedly kept Manchester United at bay during the first leg encounter.

Yet, there is a need to pause for a second and consider whether he is a player Arsenal needs, going forward. Sure, he should definitely stick around. However one feels that he is as good a player as he is now.

Outcome: Keep Him

Defenders 

Bacary Sagna 

Like his floppy neon hair extensions, his performance this season has been the bright spot in the poor Arsenal backline. He has been consistent and his bombing runs forward has created panic for Arsenal's opponents. Always dependable to provide a strong performance, Sagna is certainly a player Wenger should consider retaining.

Outcome: Keep at all cost. 

Kolo Toure

Sometimes you wonder if Toure is better suited as an attacking player. Blessed with pace, skill and a bombing shot, Toure would be better suited as a deep lying midfielder which can take the ball forward if necessary.

Alas, Wenger decided to convert him into a centre back. And my opinion is that Wenger has wasted a promising attacking talent. Toure is not a centre back and I don't think he will ever be comfortable playing there.

He looks better going forward and I lost track of how many times Arsenal fans get a sense of anticipation whenever Toure touches the ball in the opponents' penalty area.

Outcome: Keep him and reconvert him back into a midfielder.

William Gallas 

Enough is said about his shambolic outburst this season. One of the best EPL defenders just a few seasons ago, you wonder where the real William Gallas might have went. Certainly, he is not wearing an Arsenal jersey now.

The number of uncontrolled outbursts and lapse in concentrations has dodged his defensive performance this season. He just isn't the same guy Wenger thought he was anymore. Somebody give Sol Campbell a ring. At least he helped Arsenal win the title before trying any funny antics.

Outcome: Sell, sell, sell. 

Gael Clichy

He is such a promising left back. His attitude is so much better than Ashley "cash" Cole. If Arsenal wants to win anything, they have got to keep him. Like Sagna, his forward runs are impeccably timed. He always provides that added dimension for Arsenal in attack. Sometimes he tries to hard and slip (ask Spurs how they benefited), but overall he is a player to keep. Outcome: Keep.

Midfielders

Andrei Arshavin

If Wenger intends to get rid of him in the summer, it is better he leaves together with him as well, because Arsenal fans would torch his car if he returns. Probably the best player wearing the Arsenal jersey now.

Whenever he plays, he makes Arsenal fans forget that we ever had Henry in our jersey. His four goals against Liverpool showed why Wenger paid so much money for him. He is worth every single penny.

One wonders what he could have done if he could have started for Arsenal against Manchester United in the champions league.

Outcome: Keep at all cost.

Cesc Fabregas

When he is at his best, there is hardly anyone in the world that can pass the ball better than him. However, when he decides to disappear, nobody can do a better job than him as well. Don't get me wrong, Cesc is a wonderful player. A delight to watch.

To contemplate selling him is blasphemous. At 22, there is still a lot of him Arsenal fans have not seen. Let's hope he will be much better.

Outcome: Keep.

Denilson

Let's face it. Denilson is good but I cannot see him being more than a squad player. Somehow, he doesn't have the physique to play as a covering midfielder. He is a creative player masquerading as a Gattuso.

Yet, he is not creative enough to displace Cesc from his slot. He is good cover, but he would not be the answer to Arsenal's woes at the moment. Outcome: Sell.

Samir Nasri

Nasri's arrival certainly raised many Arsenal fans expectations. He can dribble, pass, shoot and is considered the next Zinedine Zidane for France. Yet, we have hardly seen that level performance from Nasri this season.

He was suppose to be the player that can single-handedly change the game but he has yet to prove he can do that. Perhaps, this is just the first season so let's give him the benefit of the doubt. I am sure there is more to come from him. Outcome: Keep.

Strikers

Emmanuel Adebayor

I still cannot fathom why when A.C Milan was rumoured to have offered 35 million pounds for him, Wenger did not ship him off in an instance. I have never been a fan of Adebayor, he reminded me too much of Andy Cole.

He needs too many chances to score. And like Fabregas, he disappears during big matches too. I am not even sure if he can command such a price tag now, judging by this season's abysmal performance. Nevertheless, he could still fetch a good price. Outcome: Sell

Robin Van Persie

He wasn't like that before. Before he started picking up injuries regularly, Van Persie was touted as the new Dennis Bergkamp. Now Van Persie is still a gem but he has yet to regain that form.

He has a sweet left foot but somehow, he hasn't been able to terrorize defenders with his dribbling as he used to anymore. Maybe his ability got stunted by Wenger's passing game. But he still one player that deserves a chance to stay. Outcome: Keep.   

I will do the reserves list sometime soon. Look out for it.