January Transfer Window: 6 Arsenal Players on the Way out

It has been a season marked by the effects of squad overhaul so far for Arsenal.  There have been many rumours about who could join the club in January, but there is just as much speculation about who might be leaving.

In the minds of most fans and pundits there is little argument that Arsene Wenger still needs to rid the squad of some perennial underachievers.

The issue that arises with potential sales and defections in the January transfer window, is how will reducing the numbers impact Arsenal's season, if the club is still competing on all fronts?

Also with inevitable injuries and the commencement of the Africa Cup of Nations, some of the players tipped to be heading for the exit door, could still have some use.

Here is a list of six Arsenal players most often rumoured to be on their way out.

6. Manuel Almunia

Currently on loan at West Ham, notorious calamity 'keeper Manuel Almunia has fallen considerably down the pecking order at Arsenal.

With the form of Wojciech Szczesny and the improvement made by Lukasz Fabianski, Almunia no longer merits consideration for the number one goalkeeping spot.

Almunia has enjoyed some decent outings at West Ham and a return to Spain has long been mooted.  It's difficult to imagine the mistake-prone 34-year-old commanding much of a fee, but Arsenal could jump at any chance to offload Almunia this Winter.

Almunia himself has recently hinted at a willingness to extend his loan spell at West Ham, rather than return to the Gunners.

But with Fabianski becoming frustrated at his lack of opportunities and also suggesting the possibility of a January switch, Wenger may feel it prudent to recall Almunia and insert the sluggish veteran as his backup 'keeper.

5. Marouane Chamakh

There have been plenty of conflicting reports regarding the future of a player who began his Arsenal career brightly, but has since become mired in inconsistency.

Marouane Chamakh's fall from grace has been alarming,  The Moroccan international has suffered a dramatic loss of confidence and has looked languid and clumsy whenever he has taken the field for Arsenal since the turn of the year.

Givemefootball.com reported that Paris Saint Germain are interested in acquiring Chamakh and a move to Marseille has also been suggested.

Arsene Wenger moved quickly to quell the rumours, but speculation has continued that if Chamakh does not find some form soon, his Arsenal career won't last past the winter.

There may be plenty of suitors mooted for Chamakh, but his potential participation in the Africa Cup of Nations could force a reduction in any potential asking price.

Given the number of chances Wenger has given to other players, it is also hard to imagine the Gunners boss giving up so soon on a player who remains the most proven option behind Robin van Persie.

4. Sebastien Squillaci

Wildly inconsistent central defender Sebastien Squillaci has done little to endear himself to Arsenal since his move from Sevilla last summer, which at the time appeared to be a smart piece of business from Wenger.

Squillaci has veered from rashness to hesitancy during his time with the Gunners, often times during the same game.

He has frequently appeared slow and ponderous in one on one situations and has brought none of his natural aggression to Arsenal's aerial defense.

Mega-rich Russian upstarts Anzhi Makhachkala are said to be interested in offering a fresh start to a player who has been capped for France and has plenty of Champions League experience.

When Thomas Vermaelen is fit, he joins Laurent Koscielny, Johan Djourou and Per Mertesacker, to form a serviceable quartet of central defensive options.

But Wenger has often felt that five is the ideal number to be able to call upon at this pivotal position.  Given the development of promising young Spaniard Ignasi Miguel, Squillaci's days in North London could well be numbered, come January.

3. Carlos Vela

Mexican hotshot Carlos Vela has failed to build on his early promise at Arsenal and is currently participating in his fourth loan spell since joining the club.

Few can question Vela's talent, but he has never demonstrated the temperament and commitment to match his pace and technique.

Currently plying his trade for Spanish outfit Real Sociedad, a permanent move to Spain has long been suggested as the inevitable resolution to Vela's troubled Arsenal career.

Seemingly a more natural central striker, Vela has not shown the strength or tenacity to cope at this position in the rugged Premier League.

Often deployed in wide areas, he now faces stiff competition from youngsters such as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ryo Miyaichi.

Once the January window shuts, Wenger and Arsenal fans may well be looking back on what might have been for Vela.

2. Nicklas Bendtner

Cocky, underachieving forward Nicklas Bendtner has long been rumoured to be on his way out of North London.

Bendtner's expected summer departure saw him linked, mostly by himself and his father, with a move to some of Europe's biggest clubs.

In the end Bendtner had to resign himself to a loan move to mid table Premier League side Sunderland.  The Danish striker has already bagged a couple of goals, but has also already attracted fresh rumours regarding an Arsenal exit.

Bendtner has been linked with a move to Spanish side Sevilla in recent weeks and it is becoming increasingly likely that his time is up with the Gunners.

Despite numerous clumsy performances and an unwillingness to work as hard as he can, Bendtner has a respectable scoring record for Arsenal and it could be argued that the Big Dane has often suffered from being played out of position.

A natural central striker, Bendtner's exploits in front of goal during the second half of the 2009/10 campaign would make him the preferred choice of many over Chamakh, as the deputy to Robin van Persie.

1. Andrey Arshavin

Mercurial Russian forward Andrey Arshavin continues to spark fierce debate amongst fans and pundits regarding his true worth to Arsenal.

A sublimely, creative influence when on form and in the mood, Arshavin has consistently struggled for form for the best part of two seasons, since enjoying a spectacular start to his Arsenal career.

Anzhi are said to be monitoring his situation as the temperamental attacker continues to be plagued by inconsistency.

But Arshavin is a player whose departure would be felt more than most.  Given his ability to turn a game in Arsenal's favour in an instant, Arshavin remains impossible to ignore for first team consideration.

The possibility that he will eventually put it altogether and begin producing on a regular basis, is a truly tantalising prospect.

The dilemma with Arshavin is always how long do you wait for him to get it right?  Without his moments of inspiration, he is a true passenger in any game.

If Arshavin cannot rectify his issues sufficiently between now and January, Arsenal may find a double digit offer for the 30-year-old too good to resist.

Arsenal still have a lot of work to do to improve their squad and ridding the team of players who have either failed to develop, or live up to their reputations, is as important as adding the necessary quality for success.

But Wenger must be careful who he lets go and what positions he leaves thin.