Arsenal: In The Absence Of Fabregas and Van Persie, Who Can Inspire The Gunners?
Arsenal have dropped points in successive games against Sunderland and West Bromwich, both of which they should have won considering the immense talents in their arsenal.
But it is not always to predict results and outcomes, (as my friend Jamrock would admit), and after a decent start to the season, the Gunners have lost a lot of ground in the title race, and will have a daunting task on their hands.
It will not be helped by injuries to key players like Theo Walcott, Nicklas Bendtner, Aaron Ramsey, Robin van Persie, Thomas Vermaelen and Cesc Fabregas.
It is likely that most of them, barring Fabregas and Vermaelen, are likely to be sidelined for important fixtures against Partizan and Chelsea.
Injuries have been a problem for the Gunners in the past, and it could again prove to be their undoing in this season.
In the absence of key players for their important fixtures against Partizan and more importantly, Chelsea, they will need to find some source of inspiration to put their season back on track, after their insipid display against West Bromwich at the Emirates.
Two of the most inspirational players for the Gunners are Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas, but when these two are injured, it seems an arduous task for Arsenal to produce consistent results.
In this slideshow, I will name five Gunners who can inspire Arsenal to greater success in the near future.
After all, even champions Chelsea lost, shockingly, against Wigan last year, and went on to win the title.
So, all hope is still not lost, and Arsenal will need to believe in themselves, and step up to the task.
Andrei Arshavin
1 of 5
Things would have looked very different for Arsenal, had the mercurial Russian buried Eboue's cross in the bottom corner of the goal, instead of hitting the post against West Bromwich Albion.
But as it stands, Arshavin is not in good form, and he needs to improve for the forthcoming fixtures. Wenger has a lot of faith in the experienced attacker, but his inconsistency is a cause for concern for the Gunners.
He has a penchant for turning up on big occasions, and it certainly, could not be a more important match, when Arsenal take on Chelsea, next week, but will the real Arshavin stand up?
Arsenal need him to be firing on all cylinders, soon, in the absence of key players, and he could still be a great factor in influencing Arsenal's season.
Tomas Rosicky
2 of 5
Rosicky may not be as good a player he was when he joined Arsenal, due to a number of injuries, but he still possesses a lot of creativity, and can split open any defense with a single moment of brilliance.
The Czech international can play in the central attacking midfield role or on the wings, and always provides a threat when he is on the field, due to his good link-up plays, vision, and creativity.
More importantly, apart from his individual performance, he lends much needed experience to this Arsenal line-up and also, is a committed player, who gives his all on the pitch.
Rosicky is a leader on the pitch, and Arsenal needs players like him to produce inspirational displays for the Gunners.
Marouane Chamakh
3 of 5
Marouane Chamakh has been impressive for Arsenal, so far in his debut season and the Gunners will hope that he continues to be in good form in the absence of key individuals.
He tried hard against West Bromwich Albion and was impressive against Sunderland, but just could not help Arsenal attain three points in both of the games.
Chamakh is not a prolific goal scorer, and not a brilliant player like Robin van Persie, but he is a consistent player who works tirelessly for the team.
Chamakh has a neat first touch, and is excellent in holding possession and bringing in other attacking players into the game.
He already has scored three goals and won three penalties for the Gunners, which is pretty impressive.
Any team would love to have Chamakh on their team, and he can be a driving force when they do face tough opposition.
Thomas Vermaelen
4 of 5
Thomas Vermaelen is easily Arsenal's best defender in the squad, and the sooner he returns to full fitness, the better for Arsenal.
The experienced defender had an outstanding debut season for Arsenal, last year, and in this season, he is the senior central defender, following the exits of William Gallas, Sol Campbell, and Mikael Silvestre.
Arsenal will be more assured at the back, when the former Ajax captain is present at the heart of defense.
Vermaelen is one of the best defenders in the EPL, and his presence will be sorely missed, as it was against West Bromwich Albion.
Vermaelen has also got an uncanny knack of popping in with goals at the right moments.
He still faces a race against time to be fit for the Chelsea clash, but if he does start, it will be a huge boost to their morale.
Samir Nasri
5 of 5
Samir Nasri was among the very few players, in the Arsenal team which faced West Bromwich Albion, to have his reputation intact, if not enhanced.
Nasri was the lone creative force for the Gunners, but could not salvage a point for the Gunners, despite his valiant performance.
He had a wonderful preseason, and has been one of the most impressive players for Arsenal in this season, even though he spent more than three weeks on the sidelines due to an injury sustained in the opener against Liverpool.
Nasri has not scored many goals for Arsenal, so far, with last season yielding only a paltry tally of five goals, which is surprising for a player of his calibre, ability and composure.
He is looking good for much more in this season, though, having scored four goals in the last two games.
He scored a brace against Tottenham (both of which were penalties), and another one against West Bromwich Albion. He is one of the leading lights for Arsenal, and can be an immense player for the Gunners.
In the absence of Fabregas, he has done a decent job in occupying the central attacking midfield role.
After being excluded from the French team for the World Cup, he has bounced back strongly and this could be his breakthrough season.
It is imperative for Arsenal that Nasri matures as a player, and can replace Fabregas effectively, when the need arises.
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