Arsenal FC: Predicting How Arsene Wenger Will Line Up His Men in 2011-2012

The summer of 2011 could be a turning point for Arsenal. It is a known fact Arsene Wenger has to buy some people for the Gunners, as they finished a disappointing 4th place in 2010-2011.

Some people rumored to leave the club are Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Denilson Pereira, Nicklas Bendtner and Manuel Almunia. But Juan Mata, Christopher Samba, Gervinho Kouassi, Karim Benzema and Ricardo Alvarez are expected to come in.

Here is what I think Arsenal will look like in 2011-12.

Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczesny

Last year, Wojciech Szczesny was known because his name was unspellable and unpronouncable. He was regarded as the Polish third string with an obscenely complicated name.

But then after Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski got injured, Arsene Wenger need a goalkeeper to step up. And Szczesny did.

The young Pole's first start was in December against Manchester United, a not-so-fun game to start. There was tremendous pressure on everyone in the squad. In that game, he proved himself solid and made a very nice save against Wayne Rooney's chip.

After that, Szczesny has shown everyone he has a lot of potential, and he wants that place as the Gunners' starting keeper.

Right Back: Bacary Sagna

Bacary Sagna is a quick left back who can cover the right flank extremely quickly. He is a very solid tackler, and he has shown he can get the ball off some very good players.

Though the Frenchman tends to make frequent runs down the right side, his crosses are very often off target, with nothing really coming of them.

However, he can pass the ball well and plays well next to Theo Walcott, Samir Nasri or Robin van Persie.

This pick is no real surprise, as Sagna has been starting at right back for years.

Center Back: Thomas Vermaelen

When Thomas Vermaelen is on the pitch, he is the backbone of Arsenal. He's a tough defender who plays aggresively and isn't afraid to make tackles. Plus, he can provide an aerial threat for corners and free kicks.

Unfortunately for Vermaelen—and the whole Arsenal squad—he has been plagued with injury. In late 2010, he had a small Achilles problem that wasn't expected to keep him off the pitch for too long. When it was announced he was going to come back, he suffered setback after setback and only returned to match play in May.

At his best, Vermaelen is arguably one of the best center backs in the Premier League.

Center Back: Christopher Samba

At 6'4", Christopher Samba is a big boy. He is a tough center back who can win balls in the air and on the ground. Samba is the type of defender Arsenal lacks; a tough guy who doesn't get injured all the time.

Samba currently plays for Blackburn, but he has been linked with a few clubs, including Arsenal. I think Samba will sign for the Gunners for £12 million, as they lack a person with the same qualities as him. 

Left Back: Kieran Gibbs

Over the past few years, Kieran Gibbs has been a substitute for Gaël Clichy, who has been heavily linked with Liverpool and may be on the verge of signing.

Since Clichy is leaving (almost certainly,) I don't think Wenger will buy another left back. He has so many other positions to focus on.

Gibbs has shown signs of talent in recent years but has never really proved he can be a solid, consistent left back week in and week out. He rarely makes very visible mistakes, but his positioning is sometimes not too good. 

Gibbs looks like he has potential. Hopefully for Arsenal, he will get better as he gets older and more experienced.

Holding Midfielder: Alex Song

Alexandre Song, a tough Cameroonian with the ability to muscle people off the ball, has been starting for Wenger for a few years. He has proved himself to be a top-class holding midfielder, and is big and strong—the type of player Arsenal lacks.

Though Song is an awesome defender, his offensive skills are not good. He looks very uncomfortable on the ball, and his shooting skills aren't the best. I know that offense isn't necessarily needed from a holder, but he should work to improve that aspect of his game.

This pick to start is no surprise, as he's worth having on the pitch for defense.

Holding Midfielder: Jack Wilshere

Jack Wilshere was always mentioned when people talked about talented youths at Arsenal or in England. In the 2010-2011 season, he made his breakthrough into Arsenal's starting 11 and currently wears England's No. 10 shirt.

Even though Jack is short, he's shown he can hold the midfield really well. He plays a very fundamental game, using his body very well and making simple passes. In addition, he's tough as nails.

Like with Song, Wilshere's offensive qualities can be improved. In my opinion, his offense is a little better than Song's, but it can still be worked at.

Look for Young Jack to get better and better as he gets older.

Attacking Midfielder: Samir Nasri

Speaking of breakthrough seasons, let's take a look at Samir Nasri. The Frenchman was considered "good" before, but after this season, he is regarded as one of the best players in the Premier League.

Every time he touched the ball this season, there was a sense of anticipation for the viewer because you felt he could do anything with the ball. He finished some astonishing runs with perfect finishes. In late 2010, he was considered the player with the best form in the EPL.

I would choose Cesc Fabregas at this position, but I expect him to move back home to Barcelona this summer.

Left Forward: Gervinho

Gervinho Kouassi, a 24-year-old, can play both winger and striker. The Ivorian played in the 2010 World Cup, wearing the No. 10 shirt for his country. He has also captained the Elephants in previous years.

In 2010-2011, Gervinho made 35 appearances for Lille, grabbing 15 goals and 10 assists. He is a major target for some teams, namely Arsenal, because they need a forward.

I expect Gervinho to sign with Arsenal, and I think that Wenger will start him at some point.

Right Forward: Theo Walcott

Theo Walcott has been with Arsenal for a while. With tremendous speed and quickness, Walcott has shown flashes of brilliance at times.

However, he has been criticized non-stop about not being able to play the final ball. Many, many times he has made beautiful runs with his quickness but has failed to deliver a good shot or cross at the end of it. (Some Arsenal fans joke that he is too quick for the ball!)

If he works on his shot, he can be a huge weapon for Arsenal because some backs find it impossible to contain the speedster.

Center Forward: Robin Van Persie

After the 2009-2010 season, many declared Robin van Persie as being "over the hill." But this year, he went on a tremendous scoring run, netting 18 goals in just 19 appearances in the Premier League.

He scored some very nice goals this year, including one from an impossible angle against Barcelona and a hat trick against Wigan. The Dutchman combined very well with Fabregas and Nasri this year and impressed for the Gunners.

A contender for the EPL Golden Boot next year, van Persie is not a surprising pick to start for Arsenal.

Predictions

Predictions to leave Arsenal: Fabregas, Bendtner, Denilson, Almunia, Tomas Rosicky

Predictions to come in to Arsenal: Juan Mata, Samba, Gervinho, Ricardo Alvarez

Star Player of 2011-2012: Samir Nasri

Breakout Player of 2011-2012: Aaron Ramsey

2011-2012 Prediction: Second Place