Who Should Go, Who Should Stay for Arsenal (Part 2)

A few days ago, I wrote about who should go and who should stay in the current Arsenal line up. I did Part One and now for Part Two.

This section will examine the reserves that Arsenal regularly use and will determine who should stay and who should go. 

Theo Walcott

Walcott has just signed a new deal that will keep him at the club till 2013. So this section on him seems a bit redundant.

Yet, a new deal cannot stop us from giving him a fair assessment of his future at this club. Walcott is a great player, don't get me wrong.

His hat-trick for England recently has proven that he is a gem. When Wenger swooped for this youngster from Southampton, many Arsenal fans wondered "Theo-who?". Now he wears the legendary No. 14 jersey left behind by fan favourite, Thierry Henry. But is he as good as Henry?

It is still too early to tell but in this season, Walcott has only shown occasional glimpses of Henry. His physique has frustratingly impeded his development into a world class player.

And his recent invisible performance against Man Utd did not help his cause. He is blessed with pace, technique and skill.

But if he doesn't turn out to be Henry one day, we know that it is because his performance is just not consistent enough.

He is certainly not a player that can yet break into Arsenal's first team on a regular basis yet. Not with Arshavin around anyway. 

Outcome: Loan him out

Nicklas Bendtner

This lad with the pink boots better buck up. As if his on pitch performances aren't bad enough, he decided to go on a drunken revelry in the immediate aftermath of the rape by Man Utd.

In all honesty, I would want Bendtner to succeed. He is a huge potential and has the ability to be a fantastic target man. However, his ability to frustrate in front of goal is only second to Emmanuel "Are you Andy Cole in disguise" Adebayor.

He is another player whom Arsenal cannot depend on to turn the game around if he is on the pitch. However, he can still learn.

Arsenal still needs a reliable target man. He fits the bill to stay, but only just. A few more abysmal performances and Wenger should really reconsider this talent. 

Outcome: Keep

Carlos Vela

The joke circulating around when he did not even make it to the bench against Man Utd was that he had Swine flu. Jokes aside, I have not seen enough of him this season to justify the pre-season hype about him.

If anyone plays Football Manager, you would have realized how good Vela is in the game. However, in reality, Vela has only shown occasional glimpses of his talent.

Nobody can forget that spectacular chip against Wigan in the League Cup. Yet sadly, that is the only thing I can remember about him this season.

He has a blessed left foot but again not a player that Arsenal can rely upon immediately to change the game. The saving grace is that he is a young upstart and there is definitely more from him to come. 

Outcome: Keep

Lukas Fabianski

All Polish keepers seem to be plagued with the same disease. They just can't catch crosses. When a high ball is punt into the box, Fabianski inspires as much confidence as a 13 year old kid addressing a congregation on his first day in school.

Don't get me wrong, he has brilliant reflexes and he has proven time and time again that if you blast the ball at him from close range, he can claw it out like a cat. But this reminds you of another bungling Brazilian down at the Lane, isn't it?

Fabianski certainly can't hold on to a first team place now at Arsenal. I hate to say this, but Almunia is just too good for someone of Fabianski's ability to displace.

Outcome: Loan him out

Johan Djourou

After his loan stint at Birmingham, Wenger is depending on him now to shore up Arsenal's porous defence. The only problem is that he is just not good enough.

After seeing his compatriot Phillipe Senderos been shipped to Milan, you wonder when Wenger will lose his patience with Djourou.

He is a good strong centre-back but he won't be much better than a squad player that he already is.

Outcome: Sell

Kieran Gibbs

Imagine you are only 18 and you are thrown out to survive amongst the sharks in the Pacific Ocean. That is what happened to Gibbs not so long ago.

He started off originally as a winger and Wenger, with the magical ability to turn all attacking players into defenders, ambitiously switched him to left back. This move was most likely undertaken to replace Armand Traore as a cover for Gael Clichy.

Nobody can blame him for that fatal slip up against Man Utd. His jitters as a 18-year-old was laid bare for the world to see; thank goodness Wenger took him out at half time. This lad has a future and he is definitely worth keeping.

Outcome: Keep

Alexandre Song

Song must have been thanking his lucky stars after Flamini and Diarra decided to leave Arsenal. This just goes on to show how far down the pecking order Song is to be considered as a defensive midfielder for Arsenal.

Even when these two were no longer around, he still had to contend with Denilson, a creative player, for his place. This suffices to explain how good Song is. 

Outcome: Sell 

Mikael Silvestre

I still cannot get my head around as to why Wenger would want to sign Silvestre. Sure, he is French, but that is about all the connection I can make.

He has provided adequate cover for Arsenal this season but there are so many defenders out there to turn to and yet Wenger had to ruffle through the bench warmers at Man Utd to convince Silvestre that he is deserving of a place here at the Emirates.

He has done nothing this season to repay Wenger's faith, apart from providing him more nightmares and face-in-hands moments. I lost count of how many times Man Utd fans have laughed at this incredible transfer.

Outcome: Just free transfer him

Emmanuel Eboue

Where do I even begin when I conduct my assessment on him? He has played right back, left back, right wing and possibly even defensive midfield. But he just screws up every time.

Currently, his red card count has exceeded the number of shots and assists he has provided for Arsenal in this season. His "amazing" talent has not gone unnoticed and he now rightfully, takes his place on the bench.

Outcome: Sell

Eduardo

After that sickening injury which he suffered last season, he has not been at his best again. He has bags of skill on display when he plays, and he is definitely justifies his price tag. Just not enough of him has been on display this season.

Outcome: Keep

Abou Diaby

He is big, tall and has a presence to dominate the midfield. And there has even been talk that he will take over the defensive midfield. Yet for most part of this season, Diaby has found himself stuck out wide on the left.

How Wenger sees him performing at that position is beyond me. As a result, his performance has been disappointing the whole of this season.

He doesn't stand out, doesn't dominate and doesn't even shoot. He just cuts a periphery figure down on that desolate left wing.

Outcome: Revert him to central midfield; if not sell him

Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Amaury Bischoff

Wilshere is a gem if he keeps doing what he is doing. But with Fabregas nowhere near retirement, it will be hard to see him rising up to replace Arsenal's captain anytime soon.

Ramsey is good but he hasn't had much chance to show what he is capable of. And let's not even go to Bischoff. I don't even think he has played a minute in the Arsenal jersey this season.

Tomas Rosicky

When he starts playing, this space will be filled.