Arsenal FC: Who Is the Gunners' Next Superstar?

The Gunners are a now team without a major superstar.

Cesc Fabregas is gone, and Nasri was not yet at that level. Robin van Persie is a world-class striker but the fact that probably half the fans and critics may not think so rules him out.

He may now be the captain, and best attacker, on the team but that alone does not make van Persie a superstar.

For me, a superstar has to not just be a world-class player, but also be a renowned name worldwide, a commercial entity, and with little critics whatsoever. Consistency is also key.

It is not like an All-Star who has a good year or two, sells some jerseys, and has a few fans. Or a star with some off-field attributes, but less so in quality on the field.

Van Persie did have the first two, but I think he is a little lacking in the third area (regarding critics). He will sell jerseys to Dutch and Arsenal fans, but may be not much else.

Fabregas has his critics too, but he could sell a shirt, and is surely selling tons of Barcelona gear now.

In this case, the list is made up of mostly the younger Arsenal players, with the age limit set at 26 to give guys like Thomas Vermaelen and Per Mertesacker a chance.

New transfers and players who are out on loan are in the mix as well, but they are less likely to make the list.

So click through to find out the best options for the next Gunners superstar!

Wojciech Szczesny

The Gunners have been missing top-notch quality in goal for a while, and it looks like Szczesny may finally be the one to fit the bill.

At only 21 years old, and with confidence that even Nicklas Bendtner can admire, Szczesny can surely become a superstar goalkeeper like Iker Casillas, Gianlugi Buffon and so forth.

Kieran Gibbs

Gibbs in on this list mostly because of his youth. He has time to get over his injury problems and be a consistent force on the field for both Arsenal and England.

If he does that, then he could very well be a much-needed defensive superstar for the Gunners.

Ignasi Miquel

The young Spaniard Miquel has a lot of time on his hands.

He has shown flashes of his potential in his few first-team opportunities and, if he continues to get better, he may be Arsenal's next Spanish superstar.

He has gotten off to a good start on the international level as well, being an integral part of the Spain U-19 squad that won the European Championship.

Thomas Vermaelen

Vermaelen is the old boy on this list at 25 years old, but he is not in his prime yet—and that can make all the difference.

There is no doubting his quality, especially after his first season at the Emirates, but he needs to bounce back even stronger from his recent injury woes.

Being the savior for the Arsenal defense will go a long way to helping the Belgian in his super-stardom.

Per Mertesacker

Many are questioning Mertesacker as a central-defender for Arsenal, especially after the Poland game earlier in the week.

In a recent interview, the German stated that he wanted to emulate Tony Adams. If Mertesacker can get anywhere near Mr. Arsenal in terms of achievements and quality play, a bump in status is surely on the horizon.

Emmanuel Frimpong

Frimpong's first foray into the Premiership was not a good one. Nonetheless there is star potential there.

He will have to battle it out with Song over the coming years, and with experience he could very well replace him.

Choosing Ghana over England on the international stage was also a good choice, as we he will likely see a good amount of playing time for the Black Stars.

Alex Song

Song has really blossomed over the years and is no doubt an integral part of this Arsenal side.

For a defensive-midfielder however, there is still one knock on his game that is keeping him from elevating his status: His propensity to go forward does not help the Arsenal defense in dangerous moments.

That aside, his ever-changing hairstyle and tough play in general—as well as the important goals he scored over the last season—are some reasons why he could be considered a future superstar.

Aaron Ramsey

Ramsey's star has dropped a little since that horiffic broken leg he suffered against Stoke, but that is the past.

At 20 years old, and already the captain of Wales, the Arsenal midfielder has his whole future ahead of him and, though he may have another year in the shadows behind Mikel Arteta, his quality is sure to shine in future years.

Jack Wilshere

In my opinion, Wilshere is ahead of the pack at the moment.

After some great displays last season, Arsenal fans were a little less worried about life after Fabregas/Nasri in the midfield.

Once he gets back from injury, Wilshere is sure to slot straight into the starting lineup and, with his never-say-die attitude and English grit, he is a player that many fans will celebrate.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Despite the seeming misuse of transfer money, Wenger must know what he was doing to shell out what he did on Chamberlain.

If he turns out to be the prospect many expect him to be, Oxlade-Chamberlain is definitely a future superstar in-waiting for the Gunners.

Theo Walcott

Walcott is on this mainly because, at 22, there is still hope that he hasn't reached his ceiling already.

Having been in the game at such a young age may have had a negative effect on him, but he showed quality in front of goal last season, and more pressure from squad competition may finally force the best out of him.

Gervinho

Gervinho has endured a mostly positive start to life in England, and one can only hope that the suspension gave him even more hunger to prove himself.

With his ability to wow the crowd with his tricks and dribbling skills, as well as the possibility that he can only get better under Wenger, there is an African superstar in the waiting for the Gunners.

Ryo Miyaichi

Park Chu-Young may sell more jerseys to the Asian, South Korean contingent now, but Miyaichi could very well be that guy in the future.

In his time at Feyenoord, he impressed many, and Wenger has had many good things to say about him.

Ryo is another prospect for the future that has to be dealt with carefully, but the results could be immense.

Carlos Vela

Hopefully a lot of Arsenal fans agree that Vela hasn't really gotten a proper chance. And hopefully this will be his last season on loan elsewhere.

Unlike Bendtner, who has burned bridges, Vela seems ready to take on the challenge to prove himself and show his quality.

Thoughts

What makes a football superstar in your opinion?

Who do you think will be the next Arsenal superstar?

Were there any players that were left off this list that should be on it?