Gunner Get Physical!: Who Is Arsenal's Dirtiest Player?

The words "dirty" and "Arsenal" are not often associated beside one another in world football. The North London side pride themselves on a clean, well presented approach in all aspects of football. However if those two words are together, it is predominantly a plea from Arsene Wenger to prevent his players receiving "dirty challenges". Over the recent years footballing fans have witnessed the torment Arsenal players have a tendency to receive against the more phsyical, less fluid attacking sides.

It's no surprise that the North London giants often boast monumental injury lists season by season and have endured some horror injuries, Eduardo Da Silva in 2008 and Aaron Ramsey in 2010 to say the least. But in recent weeks it has been the Gunners receiving criticism for recent displays of potential leg breaking challenges.

In Arsenal's most recent Premier League fixture against Birmingham City, a predominantly physical and doughty side, Arsene Wenger had teenage sensastion given a straight red for a reckless lunge on Nikola Zigic whilst many felt Emmanuel Eboue was lucky to stay on the field after the Ivorian made a highly dangerous "scissor challenge".

Although thr Arsenal faithful can argue it was about time the Gunners "lunged" out at opponents, especially the Blues as there defender Martin Taylor was the instigator in Eduardo's horror leg break. However the Gunners recent efforts have prompted the debate whether there is a dark side to Arsenal that could be the lynchpin for Wenger and his men to overcome the more physical sides like Stoke, Birmingham and Sunderland.

So out of Arsenal's highly talented roster, who is the dirtiest of them all? 

1. Jack Wilshere

The 18 year old is blessed with superb movement, a terrific passing range and great strength, however another trait submerged into the Englishman's game is late tackling. Wilshere's monumental talent some what overshadowes his consistent fouls of late challenges. However since the midfielders clumsy lunge, the teenage sensastions brain snaps have become more and more evident.

There is no denying Wilshere's nasty side and if anything it increases his appeal. As one of the smallest players in not only the Arsenal squad but the Premier League, the youngster is heavily targeted by teams and is often the victim of rash challenges.

However the England international has proven he is more than capable of handling physical players, having held is own amongst some of the stronest midfielders in England. None the less if Wilshere is to truely blossom than erasing these frequent late challenges may have to occur.

2.Samir Nasri

The classy Frenchman grew up in the tough streets of Marseille playing street football with "gangs" and has often stated that his tough upbringing benefited his development as a professional footballer. "if I can be brave enough to face a knife I am brave enough to face a tough tackler."

Nasri's street game has often emerged in his play as from time to time as Arsenal fans witness their playmaker react some what badly to tackles. Occassionaly the 23 year old does partake in sly trips, studs and knees to his opponents in acts of frustration and discontent.

During Arsenal's clash with Birmingham City, the Blues manager Alex McLiesh felt Nasri deserved a red card for a blatant knee that knocked defender Liam Ridgewell of his feet, after the Englishman appeared to have stepped on the French international.

3.Robin van Persie

When the Dutch maestro is not scoring wondergoals, assisting his teammates to do likewise or injured, van Persie can often be seen contributing somewhat nasty tackles or just plain stupid challenges. During his successfull six year stint with Arsenal, the 27 year old has scored some beautiful goals and graced the footballing world with dazzling play.

However van Persie has also collected a share of red cards in recent years, predomiantly for brain snaps. In the Dutch international's first season for the red and white van Persie was sent off for a dangerous lunge in a match against Southampton that ended up costing Arsenal two points after the Gunners drew 1-1.

The former Feyenoord sharpshooter's actions prompted heavy criticism from Wenger and the media. Two seasons ago the Dutchman committed a shoulder charge on Stoke City keeper Thomas Sorenson after the Danish international had "teased" van Persie. The Gunners ended up losing 2-1.

4. Alexandre Song

Song's rise of maturity and stature has ensured the Cameroon international is now regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in World Football. The 23 year old is one of Arsenal’s strongest and physical players which enables the midfield to thrive.

The former Bastia midfielder is also an elegant attacker with an incisive passing range and great feet but does have a tendency to make rash challenges in his haste to shut down opposition attacks. Song has collected numerous reds for relatively reckless challenges, furthermore the Cameroon international is not afraid to striker back against the Paul Robinson’s and Ryan Shawcross’s of English football.

Whether Alexandre Song is Arsenal’s dirtiest player remains to be unseen.

5. Other

As stated before Arsenal are in no means a dirty side so to establish their dirtiest payers is always a challenge and the list was undoubtedly never going to be long. It remains to be unseen whether Arsenal will develop an aggressive side that is utilized to conquer the likes of Stoke and such. None the less, who is Arsenal’s dirtiest player?