Manchester United vs Arsenal: 6 Players Who Need to Step Up to Rescue Gunners

In the sobering aftermath of yesterday's carnage at Old Trafford, many Arsenal fans are left wondering how their team can rescue the season.

The Gunners need the key players in the current squad to lead the team and produce a strong turnaround.

It will require a concerted effort from every squad member to erase the memory of Sunday's shameful debacle.

Here are six players who must step up the level of their play if Arsenal are to rebound from their nightmare start and enjoy a successful season.

6. Johan Djourou

Swiss central defender Johan Djourou has suffered a staggering loss of confidence and form.  At times last season Djourou was Arsenal's best defender and was beginning to look like another impressive find by Arsene Wenger.

Since injury at Old Trafford in the FA Cup Quarter Final, Djourou has been timid and lacked concentration.  A quick and accomplished player, Djourou is capable of much better.

Along with Armand Traore, Djourou was the chief culprit in the defensive shambles which led to Manchester United finding the net eight times.

Even if Arsene Wenger manages to secure a new defensive partner for Thomas Vermaelen, injuries and the volume of games means that Djourou will still likely be called upon during the season.

Arsenal need reliable and quality cover in defense, and Djourou needs to step up to prove he still merits first-team consideration.

One option might be to move him to right back.  Djourou has played the position for Switzerland on more than one occasion.

This would allow Bacary Sagna to move over to the left side, as a more dependable option to the injury-prone Kieran Gibbs.

At right back Djourou's speed and technique may be of better use than they currently are in the middle of the Arsenal back four.

5. Aaron Ramsey

The pace of the game was simply too much for Aaron Ramsey to cope with yesterday.  The talented Welsh youngster has struggled to occupy the main playmaking role in Arsenal's midfield so far this season.

Unfortunately, the horrible injury he suffered at the Britannia Stadium seems to have robbed him of the energy and tenacity needed to hold his own in the middle of the field.

The psychological impact of the challenge could now be coming through in Ramsey's game.  His inability to compete in the tackle is making him a liability at times.

If Ramsey is going to have the kind of impact his creative skills demand, then Arsene Wenger must partner him with two tough-tackling runners.

With Jack Wilshere's injury status beginning to look ominous, Ramsey needs to elevate the standard of his game and add some real guile to Arsenal's midfield.

4. Alex Song

Alex Song needs to shake off the inconsistency and poor technique that have blighted his performances in the past and continue his fine start to the campaign, once he returns from suspension.

The frequent sight of Wayne Rooney roaming the edge of the box unguarded and of United runners breaking unimpeded from midfield, highlighted the importance of a defensive shield in Arsenal's midfield.

Song has seemed more comfortable in the holding role during the first few games of this season.  His strength and timing have definitely improved.

Arsenal need Song to be at his best on a regular basis.  His positional discipline needs to be constant and he will have to sacrifice his forays forward.

3. Gervinho

Arsenal's lone summer signing at the time of writing needs to step up and provide the spark the team badly needs.

Ivory Coast forward Gervinho has looked an exciting addition in limited action so far.  His speed, excellent balance and clever footwork have provided an extra dimension to the Arsenal attack.

Gervinho will need to quickly adapt to Premier League life and begin exposing and stretching defenses.  The type of assist he provided for Robin Van Persie against Udinese, needs to be a common sight this season.

2. Andrey Arshavin

There probably aren't many more ways left to call upon Andrey Arshavin to produce more for Arsenal.  The Gunners' record purchase has the individual talent to win any game.

Arsene Wenger must find a way to stir Arshavin out of his doldrums.  The mercurial Russian has the creativity and finishing ability to compensate for the departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

The worrying thing about Arshavin lately, is not that he has been putting in a measure of effort.  The problem is that the standard of his game has dropped so low, that the Russian international is not offering anything to the team's attacking play.

A move into the middle could be the key to a revival of his form.  But it's difficult to blame Wenger for not entrusting such a vital position in the team's tactical structure to such a temperamental player.

Ultimately it is down to Arshavin to end his prolonged malaise.  A player of his class should be able to produce quality from any position in the forward areas.

Arsene Wenger should take the risk and persist with Arshavin.  If he steps up his game, Arshavin will be a match winner who can resurrect Arsenal's season.

1. Theo Walcott

It seems a little unfair to call on a player who has scored three of Arsenal's four goals this season, to step up the level of his play.  But Theo Walcott must prove he has matured into a reliable, high quality performer Arsenal can count on.

Where he plays along Arsenal's front three can no longer be used as an excuse for failure to produce.  In Arsenal's flowing 4-3-3, Walcott needs to demonstrate the inclination to use shrewd movement along with his speed, to get free from defenses.

Injuries and inconsistency have been the bane of Walcott's development in the past.  He needs to show that those issues are behind him and that he is now ready to join the ranks of the game's elite players.

His pace and underrated finishing ability make 20 goals a realistic expectation in a team as expansive as Arsenal.

Walcott needs to start viewing himself as more of a forward in the mould of Marc Overmars and not worry about being either a winger or a striker.  These emphatic definitions have no place in the modern game.  He needs to finally step up as the true potent threat he should be.

After yesterday's horrendous showing Arsenal's players are left with no choice but to make every effort to salvage their season.

Key squad members have to step up.  If they can then Arsenal will be able to restore some pride and prove themselves genuine contenders for trophies.