Arsenal FC: 9 Players Who Arsene Wenger Needs to Get Rid of

Arsenal is a team on a great run with one of the best strikers, strong attacking wingers, a solid midfield, an extremely skilled defense and true depth in most positions.

With all that, though, there are several players within the Arsenal squad who are not contributing to the resurgence of Arsenal this season and who are liabilities to Arsenal FC. These are the eight players that Arsene Wenger needs to move out of his Arsenal squad and find new homes for, as well as their possible replacements.

Andrei Arshavin

The obvious choice of most Arsenal fans' list of players who need to be sold. Andrei Arshavin is a player of great skill who, through a combination of bad form, lack of effort and playing out of position, has not met expectations at Arsenal.

Every time Arsenal starts or subs-in Andrei Arshavin, I cringe a little as I know we are about to see a lazy performance with no end-product. Andrei Arshavin needs to move on and find a team that will allow him to play as an attacking midfielder/striker instead of as a winger.

Possible Replacement: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Already an Arsenal player, his performances have been excellent every time he comes on the pitch. He is a ready-made replacement for Andrei Arshavin and already looks more of a threat when he comes on the pitch than Andrei Arshavin has this whole season.

Tomas Rosicky

Tomas Rosicky is a player who I rate highly but who needs to be moved on to make room for younger talented players. A player who has put in several good performances in the center of the Arsenal midfield this season, he has been relegated to the bench with the emerging Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta partnership.

With Jack Wilshere and Abou Diaby coming back from injury, further limiting Tomas Rosicky's playtime, and at 31 years old, he has reached the end of his tenure at Arsenal FC.

Possible Replacement: Henri Lansbury

Already an Arsenal player, Henri Lansbury is an immensely talented midfielder currently on loan with West Ham United; he needs a chance to break into the Arsenal first team.

Sebastien Squillaci

Sebastien Squillaci is the current fifth-choice central defender for Arsenal FC. His performances are error-prone and incompetent, and he does not rate a place in the Arsenal squad. No Arsenal fan will be sad to see Sebastien Squillaci leave London.

Possible Replacement: Ignasi Miquel

Already an Arsenal player, with the five defenders currently ahead of him in the pecking order at Arsenal, the young Spanish defender needs to be given the chance to prove himself.

Johan Djourou

The only word that comes to mind when I think of Johan Djourou is inconsistency. A decent defender, he either plays extremely well in a match or absolutely terrible. There is no in between with Johan Djourou.

Arsenal needs consistent defenders that can be relied upon to put in a shift and put it all on the line when it counts. Johan Djourou, while a decent defender, is not that player for Arsenal. He has reached the point where he needs to be moved on to make room for more talented and reliable defenders.

Possible Replacement: Jan Vertonghen

Currently playing for Dutch giants Ajax AFC, Jan Vertonghen is consistent, reliable, a leader in defense and would add depth and talent to the Arsenal defense.

Marouane Chamakh

A player who once was highly rated and sought after by Arsene Wenger, he started his Arsenal career brightly but has since failed to live up to expectations. With only one goal in the 2011-2012 season so far, Marouane Chamakh is a player who, while a star in the French Ligue 1, is a flop in the Premier League.

He is incapable of acting as Robin Van Persie's backup and needs to return to Ligue 1 to find his form again.

Possible Replacement: Marco Reus

A young German striker currently playing for Borussia Monchengladbach, he has been in killer form over the last few seasons with 23 goals and 11 assists in his last 50 appearances.

He is a young player who would perform well and allow Arsenal to stop relying on Robin Van Persie so much, giving Van Persie some much needed rest.

Denilson

A semi-talented Brazilian midfielder, he did not impress during his five years with Arsenal and has not impressed upon his return to his native Brazil with Sao Paulo FC. With three red cards already this season with Sao Paulo FC, he is a liability on the field and has not won the fans over, much like he failed to win the fans over in London.

Possible Replacement: Emmanuel Frimpong

Having progressed with Arsenal FC through the youth and reserve program, Emmanuel Frimpong has impressed this season with his dedication, power and hard work. While still a player with rough edges that need fine tuning, he is the future of the Arsenal midfield.

Carlos Vela

Carlos Vela is a good player who will develop into an excellent striker/winger. But after failing to hold down a starting position in his six years with Arsenal FC, he has been shipped off on four separate loan spells with different clubs in Europe. And he has failed in each of these loans to emerge as a star and prove he deserves to start for Arsenal FC.

With only 26 goals in nearly 150 appearances across Europe, Carlos Vela needs to find a permanent home far away from Arsenal FC.

Possible Replacement: Mario Gotze

The highly rated German winger/attacking midfielder would be able to come right into the Arsenal side and begin making a difference immediately. Able to play on either wing or in the center behind the striker, Mario Gotze could be the missing link in Arsenal’s attacking play.

Nicklas Bendtner

The immensely confident (read "cocky") Danish striker has failed to perform when needed for Arsenal. His inconsistency and poor attitude while playing second string to Robin Van Persie forced Arsene Wenger to send him on loan to Sunderland, where he has only scored two goals this season.

Arsene Wenger needs to find Nicklas Bendtner a permanent home away from Arsenal—and soon.

Possible Replacement: See Marco Reus

Manuel Almunia

A player who is long past his sell by date, Manuel Almunia is inconsistent and while at times a decent goalkeeper was a disappointment at Arsenal and needs to move on to greener pastures. At 34 years old Almunia needs to move back to a smaller Spanish side and finish out his career somewhere other than Arsenal.

Possible Replacement- Arsenal does not need a replacement for Manuel Almunia. With Wojciech Szczesny having been excellent this season, Lukasz Fabianski having made the backup goalkeeper position his, and a variety of younger players competing for the third spot Arsenal for once does not need another goalkeeper.

In Conclusion

Players Leaving Arsenal

Andrei Arshavin, Tomas Rosicky, Sebastien Squillaci, Johan Djourou, Marouane Chamakh, Denilson, Carlos Vela and Nicklas Bendtner.

Players Stepping up into Leaving Players Shoes

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Henri Lansbury, Ignasi Miquel and Emmanuel Frimpong.

Players Arsenal Need to Sign

Jan Vertonghen, Marco Reus and Mario Gotze.