Five Arsenal Players Who Are Just Not Good Enough
by Alan Smith's Forehead on November 11th, 2009 439 words | 64 commentsAs they Gunners continue their great run of form it is worth mentioning those players who are still not hitting the high notes.
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Philippe Senderos
Whilst I think the Big Swiss is not the same defender that was derided when he first hit the scene I still don’t think he has much of a future at the club. Was rumoured to be on his way to Everton in the summer but the move appeared to break down at the last minute. The towering centre back always looks clumsy and lacks confidence when on the ball but still young enough to meet the challenge elsewhere and a move away from the Emirates is probably the best all round.
Lukasz Fabianski
The young pole hasn’t exactly shone when called upon and with Vito Mannone impressing greatly Lukasz has found himself slipping down the pecking order. When the 24 year old was forced to step into the breach last season he made a number of errors and it appears Wenger has lost faith in him as a second choice keeper.
Mikel Silvestre
Oh dear, bringing in the vastly experienced Man United man appeared to make sense and I for one felt that the signing of the adaptable defender would help us when we were short of players as well as passing on his tips to the youngsters, it hasn’t quite worked that way. He has arrived about three years to late and is quite frankly a very poor player. Thankfully he is now only being used for Carling Cup duty!
Emmanuel Eboue
Now there is no doubting that out utility man has improved immeasurably but in my view is a player who is simply not good enough to start and as such is only needed on occasion to cover for injuries but surely the Ivorian would rather he was playing regular football. At 26 he is at that point in his career he would be better off moving a step down and could still do a very handy job at a top six side.
Abou Diaby
Now this last selection may not be agreed upon by all, but far too often I see him in action and am left wondering why the hell he is on the pitch. He loses the ball far too often, tries to many ‘tricks’ that don’t come off and in my view isn’t a team player. He is fine to call upon when injuries dictate the need to do so but in my view he is not of a caliber to represent the first team and consistently flatters to deceive.
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anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
I have to say I pretty much agree. Diaby is the most frustrating player in the world. Just when he has left you wondering why he is playing he manages to do something magical, he needs to be more consistent and we should keep him, the rest we can definitely let go.
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Better draw Mr Wengers attention to your brilliant assessment of these guys…I am sure he will be grateful for your careful analysis and immediately terminate their contacts…..Not !!…You really should get out more mate….BrianTheGooner
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
if Wenger has them in his team then he knows better then some PALSTIC blog writer.
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
crap
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
i totally agree m8 they are jokes none wud get into spurs ha ha
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
sendros is reeely not good
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
What a load of crap. Have you not learnt yet? Eboue has been a good utility player for us this season and whilst I admit he is much better when filling in a right back, I am glad that he is doing ok. Diaby can be frustrating but at the same time I can see why Wenger likes him, his finishing is excellent and he could yet become a very good player. Silvestre hasn’t even got near the first team this season but when he played in the CC he performed well enough. Senderos is another who hasn’t got near the first team either and as for Fabianski I honestly don’t know enough about him.
Personaly I think your article is pointless and reeks of a sheeplike opinion where you repeat in a parrot like fashion everything you read on other blogs. However I’m sure you’re as good a judge of player as Wenger is. Much of a player performance is down to confidence, the booing of Eboue did not help last season and not the crwod has turned it’s attention to Diaby. There’s always a scapegoat at Arsenal and the crowd on their backs rarely helps the team or the player.
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Umm, I just read the names did not bother reading your comments on the above players because I think you are wrong about every single one of them.
Replace Senderos… who with? who can you find on the PLANET that is as good as him and will settle for being 4th choice? Same with Sylvestre being 5th choice (Djorou is 3rd choice but injured)
Eboue…. where can you find a decent Right sided player, who can play defence and attack who will settle for being 2nd/3rd choice?
These players might not be as good as our first choices for their positions but if we get new expensive signings it will unsettle the squad.
Also, better players will NOT settle with being on the bench.
We are fine and I think those players you have mentioned are good enough and some of them are still very young, so to say they are not good enough is plain stupidity!
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Hang on. I think its okay for someone to give an opinion without people saying “Well I am sure you know better than Wenger” after all if you went along that train of thought then what are fans talking about in pubs, surely they also know no more than Arsene. This is an opinion, not a greatly constructed one, but an opinion nonetheless.
I think that of the five named Diaby still could prove us all wrong and become a great player, he has the talent and just needs to be made to believe in himself.
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
anon 6.34
glad to here some one out there shares my views.
to much championship manager and youtube views around. not enough common sense..
goonerTilEyeDead!
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
I strongly disagree with Emmanuel Eboue being in the list.
Emmanuel Eboue is a very very good player.
Abou Diaby is good offensively.
The rest i cant comment.
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Every one was pouring shit on Song. Now everyone thinks that he is one of our best players. Wenger kept him when everyone else, even in the AGM assembly, was asking for his head. Where are those voices now. I have seen all the Wenger years to understand that when he has belief in a player, he is always right. This is why he is paid 4million poubds a year and we, who sit behind our desk and wait for the end of ther month salary, try to show everyone that we are intelligent in football and that we know better. Enough bullshitting. I think that people who writer such blogs are stupid scum who have nothing to do. No girlfriend, no hobbies, no friends. They just try to get people’s attention with their crap. I advice you to watch and support any player on your team sheet. If you want to be a football manager, go tto management school and don’t waste your time writing silly blogs. And stop wasting your tile on football manager
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
OK! You have no idea do you!!
Lets start with….
Emmanuel Eboue
Eboue is a very good player, not the best but he is exactly what we need. He is an Arsenal player and plays the way we need him too. He will never be as good as sagna but there will always be trouble when you have two players of equal talent and only one starting place. Eboue also has alot of heart. More so than any other player at the club. Remember THAT night with eboue, any other player would of demanded to leave or lacked the confidence to play again. But Eboue has done the complete opposite, his form and consistency has improved immensely. And if we did sell eboue who would cover Sagna? You can name names all day long but Eboue is just what we need.
Phillip Senderos
Everyone knows at the moment not many players could push Gallas and Vermalen out the starting line up. But for cover he is just what we need. A young International player, who has played in the Champions league and has premiership experience, and can score goals. I hate people who only remember the bad games and not the good games. From what i remember only players like Rooney, Torres, and Drogba have unsettled Senderos and to be honest these strikers would make ANY defender look crap.
Lucas Fabianski
We have not seen alot of him so i wont judge him. But most number 2 goalkeeper’s are not good enough to start, thats why they are number 2.
Micheal Silvestre
errm………
Abou Diaby
When any player is tagged ‘the new…..’ it always backfires. Most of us were thinking ” yeah, The Patrick Veira reincarnate, this guy is gonna be awesome” but we should not of done that. The media is to blame for that one i feel. Diaby is NOT at all like viera he is his own player so we cant blame him for playing the way he does. I dont feel he is good enough to start but think he is an EXCELLENT player to have in a squad.
If there is one player that confuses at Arsenal me it is Mark Randall. I wont go into detail about this guy but surely he knows his days are numbered.
Alot of reserve players are making the first team but this guy is really going backwards in his Arsenal career.
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
I wonder how you said Eboue is not good enough. He is a played with determination and strong going forward even between players. So I would say he is good enough for Arsenal. Diaby doesnot deserve to be in the starting 11 but can be a nice bench. The rest are OK with status they are in at the moment.
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
I agree with assessment, because at end of day players sitting on bench
need to fit in if key players are injured.
If Gallas or Vermaelen are injured who would replace them against Drogba
and Chelsea. Certainly not Senderos or Silvestre, because both would get
creamed. We do need urgently a third centre back as Djourou who is injury
prone is out for season.
Diaby is a talented footballer, but needs too much time on ball and is poor
in air for man of his height. He is in my view unsuited for English game.
Eboue has improved this year, but at 26 cannot be guaranteed first team
football and will therefore leave. Arsenal need a specialist full-back in
our squad rather than converted winger.
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 7:59 pm
Diaby doesn’t have the sort of 360 degree awareness that you need for a holding midfielder. He is too slow and needs too much time to pick a pass. HE SLOWS THE WHOLE TEAM DOWN!
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Football is about having the best players in the team in the starting line up. The players that are considered good but not as good as another in that position sit on the bench.
How hard is that for people to understand?
Arsenal’s squad is one of the best in Europe. If the squad was fully fit Arsene would have one helleva headache.
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Anyone could sit down and write about the worse five players in a 29 man squad! Do you really think that Wenger is unaware regarding the ability of these players? I think not. As he always does, he will move them along as someone better comes through, or buy if necessary. On the other hand I could think of 5 bloggers who are certainly not up to standard!
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
guess what i don’t like denilson that much who cares we have to support these guys at last they are doing there best hope we can beat chelsea and finnaly win something this year ) : (
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Niklas Bendtner maybe instead of Diaby?!?! I also don’t like his attitude as well as the clubbing incident after the Man yoo game…
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
dont agree about eboue i think he has been realy gd this season when called upon,fabiansky hasnt played enough football this year to be judged and diaby is the most frustrating player in arsenals sqaud as 1 good game in every 3 or 4 isnt gd enough but there is no doubt that he has the talent,just have to hope that he gets more consistent.i would also like to see him get more fight into his game he always looks as if it dosnt bother him if we win or lose,he has the class and build to be a monster in the middle of the park,maybe just needs more of a winners attitude.FIGHT FOR EVERY INCH IN THE ARSENAL SHIRT!!!!!!!
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Why is Bendtner not on the list, he is a player that is NOT good enough for Arsenal
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
I have read all the comments so far and it is good to see so many disagreeing with the articles. Clearly the writer does not understand either a squad system or the motivations of a professional footballer. The clear point is players better than those named WILL want a starting place. So as has been said previously, who would you replace them with that are willing to sit on the bench??? As regards Diaby, yes there is more talent there. However he is NOT a holding midfielder as so many people keep suggesting. His favourite position is centre midfield and when he gets chance to play in that role, he shines. Do your research and you will see. Also look at the results so far this season. Football is a team sport and the best teams have balance. So far with Cesc, Diaby and Song in the midfield we have looked more balanced than for the last 4 seasons. Don’t look at him just on the ball, look at him off it. It is no coincidence that the goal rampage and freedom Cesc has had and you will find that Diaby fits the role between Song and Cesc as part creative part defensive. Team sports rely on balance as well as individual shows!
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Diaby is shite. End of story. He must have pictures of Wenger’s daughter, that’s the only way I can explain how he ever gets played ahead of Song, Ramsey, Eastmond or Coquelin for that matter. Complete pants.
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
eboue. played in a champions league final. end off
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
caughtwanking.com does it again
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
name a better right back than eboue in the premier league who didnt cost more than 15 mill????? none exactly
anonymous - November 11th, 2009 at 11:52 pm
apart from sagna
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 12:05 am
Sorry mate but although there is a degree of truth in what u say about some of the above players u just dont get the full picture,I guess u were one of the people who a year ago were saying Alex Song was not up to the job and we should sell him and spend vast sums of money to replace him with an established player.One of the beauties of Arsenals transfer policy is to buy players before they are the finished article and then give them the time to mature and to learn the Arsenal way of playing and by so doing end up with a top quality player bought at a fraction of the overinflated prices many other clubs have to pay for their new sighings.How much do u think we would have to pay to sign Alex Song now? I know he is not one of the players listed but he is a good example of the Arsenal way of doing things.Fabianski is young and yes he makes mistakes but he will learn and improve,same goes for Diaby- to be honest he does my head in at times but I think the more he plays the better he gets and lets not forget he is now starting to turn out for the French national team.Senderos too is young enough to improve-lets not forget he was a regular for us during one of our better champions league runs and although he has made mistakes he also gives us a very physical presence at cb and is very good in the air too.Finally regarding your commentss about Eboue I would just like to say I think Eboue is class,not in a best in the world superstar way although I do rate him highly in his preferred rb position,but as someone who has a great attitude-played out of position,moved around,not starting every week but he just gets on with it and doesnt complain and also he is one of the most popular players with his teammates and thats something priceless,someone who puts a smile on the face of his fellow players is always worth having in your team.
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 12:24 am
Go on Abu Diaby. Prove em all wrong like Song did. The anti Song brigade are still eating shit now! Diaby’s a player and if you can’t see that, whoever you are, the problem is yours! Abooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 12:25 am
Nonsense. We all said Song was rubbish, and we were dead wrong.
You don’t see these players in training. They may not all get to be first choice, first team regulars, but some of them like Eboue have played important roles for us this season already.
Diaby is this season’s target of derision, but even he has alrady given us a matchwinning display or two. This is an important season for him, to try to break thorugh, and he is not far away. Not there yet, but not far away.
You fickle fans failed to predict that the Arsenal team would mature as it is now doing. You should go and support Chelsea, Man U or Man City if you want to see only proven superstars. What Wenger is trying to do, crafting moslty young players, is miles more interesting to me.
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 12:38 am
I hear the arsenal board are putting together a list of the 5 fans that they believe don’t deserve to support our club!
You may find yourself somewhere near the top!
It’s a team…a team in which the sum of ALL parts is aiding in beautiful football and a tilt at a few trophies!
Just sit back and enjoy, don’t pick holes!
The more backing EVERY player in the team gets the better the team will be!
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 1:29 am
what about almunia ,he is pure dung,hes crap and should only be a 3 keeper at best.we need a pro keeper and a dm
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 1:33 am
how on earth did bendtner not make that list, it is awful! he doesnt know what a first touch is, and for his height and build, he jus doesnt use it to his advantage, not gona make, FAIR!
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 2:28 am
I personally dont think Gibbs is good enough…yet. He’s still young and hopefully he’ll improve. But Cole and Clichy were definitely better at this age.
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 4:40 am
Senderos
A terrific 4th choice CB. Was part of the record-breaking CL run in 2006 where we kept 8 or 9 clean sheets in a row in the knockout stages. He was also at the centre of defence for Switzerland in 2006 when they became the first team EVER to be knocked out of the tournament without conceding a goal.
Eboue –
Fantastic right back – would walk into Man U’s team and probably any other team excluding maybe Chelsea and Liverpool. Also a great utility player, and a great clubman. Anyone who still thinks that Eboue should be sold has had their head in the sand for the past year – he has worked hard despite the booing when many other players would have left for another club
Diaby
When will the media give this guy a break. He is not the new Vieira, he is his own player. He is a great player to have in your squad, and has shown signs of improvement this season already, with better consistency. Besides his OG against Man U, he dominated that game and was unlucky not to score a fantastic solo goal. He offers us a plan B going forward – he will run at defenders rather than passing it around and also adds height to our midfield.
Fabianski
Wenger has not lost faith in him as 2nd choice keeper, he has been injured. How you can judge a keeper at the age of 24 is beyond me. He is a fantastic shot stopper. He needs to work on the aerial balls in the box and cutting out silly errors. He has enormous potential
Silvestre
Fair enough, he is probably not up to it. Having said that though he is still useful as a 5th choice CB. If we were to get 3 injuries to CB, he has played at the highest level for long enough to know what is needed of him. Not a great or good player but an experienced one.
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 5:36 am
aren’t you the same guys who wanted to shoot down arsene wenger some 3 years ago for playing ALEX Song? or wait a minute even Flamini the year before that when vieira had just left,then they became untouchables…i believe players like eboue are utility players,like john oshea/wes brown, not so good but who can do the job so well,remember eboue at left back in 2006?now eboue can play even in goal…as for diaby he needs to get aggressive.the rest i cant defend.
George
Uganda
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 7:33 am
someone that knows listen to these fools with no idea talking about Diaby lets break it down never going to be Fab. never going to be a winger never going to be a striker etc. there is 1 spot he has the potential to play in any top 4 side in any league defensive midfielder if he added what he has to what Song is doing then he could be great but without part B part A is useless
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 7:34 am
you much CM and youtube, indeed
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 8:20 am
i agree with anonymous at 12.05. Eboue is hugely popular in the dressing room. the ability to light up the dressing room is priceless and dont you forget, even with your bias, that he is a quality player. how many positions does he play? bendtner, arshavin and walcott have all complained about being played out of position and would prefer new ones but whenever eboue gets played, he never complains. am just waiting to see him played as a goalkeeper some day.
these players do not live in space. they would like to associate with us fans and what do you think is their reaction when they see such views expressed by a blog that is supposed to support them and be there 4 them?
u should have written an article about the 5 players we need to motivate alot. when they are on the ball, whether they make a mistake or not, we cheer them ALOUD and then watch what will happen. they will want to die for u and will do all they can. shame on u.
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 9:23 am
You can add Song to that list as well. Absolute nothing player. Eboue is the worst you have had at Arsenal in living memory.
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 10:14 am
shit article,shit blog.
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 10:19 am
One of the worst articles i’ve read. I can’t believe you’re an arsenal fan.
Fabianski was in line for no.1 spot before his most recent injury for starters.
Diaby has scored 3 goals this season and looked in better shape than he has since he joined the first team.
Eboue is a good utility player, and more importantly a brilliant right-back, providing us with more than adequate cover if the ever-reliable Sagna were to get injured.
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 10:35 am
lame. u still dont understand arsenal do u
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 10:46 am
why no densilon?
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Yeh! Where is Denilson?
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 11:06 am
tau
calm down, Eoboue not up to scratch dnt understand why the prof picks hm f first team. im still not convinced by Eduardo he is running all over the place, Nasri or Rosicky should have that place
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Maybe those ho do not possess a footballing insight can’t see that Diaby’s place in the side free’s up Fabregas. That is Diaby’s job he does it well and Fabregas is in the form of his life. Diaby plays for this reason. Balance is everything in a premiership side.
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
all diaby haters have no clue!!!
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Of all the players, Silvester and Fabiasky should never play in this season or loss all the efforts so far. Wenger should try the in caring cup and forget it. I like Diaby and Eboue thou they may not be stars, but they are classy and unique in a way.
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Every one of these players is an important part of the squad. You just can’t have 22 or 25 first team quality starters. It just doesn’t work. You can’t fit them all in or keep them all happy sittingon the bench. Each of the guys you mention can come in a nd do a job.
Senderos is a defender who is s confidence player. He needs to play and his best years I reckon are still ahead. He never lets The Arsenal down,badly, particularly in Europe.
Fabianski is still so young for a goalkeeper, but it’s clear he’s got what it takes in terms of skill and application. Far too soon to right him off.
Silvestere brings experience to the squad across the back. No, he’s not the best, but he’ll sit on the bench and do a job with 100% effort whenevr called upon. All clubs need a guy like Silvestre.
Eboue is one of the most skilfull players in the squad and he is maturing rapidly. He is flexible. Reputedly players never doe well when they leave Arsenal. Eboue would.
I don’t get the Diaby detractors After serious injury he is now maturing so well and will come into his own this season and next I reckon. He makes some high profile passing errors for which he seems to get slaughtered, while others get away with theirs (Fabregas Clichy etc.) As part of the mobiile, interchangeable, total football midfield/attcak set up at Arsenal, he is superb.
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
reali dont get why people are defending Diaby, he’s been our worst player to date this season and yet you think he is been unfairly criticized. i have no doubt in my mind that when Denilson comes back from injury he is gonna take that place.
excellent selection in my opinion except for fabianski…
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
You wouldn’t be a relative of Andy Gray by any chance? He always seems to know every thing about nothing. Why don’t you go and sit with Mr Wenger on the touchline and put him right on a few things we might start winning some games.
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Well I agree you can’t have world stars warming the bench but the fact remains Man U and Chelsea have Owen, berbatov, Mikel, Scholes, Ivanovic, Fereira, Malouda, Vidic/Deco all on the bench to be used as impact players… I would rather bring on Ivanovic or Fereira or O’shea before I bring on Eboue, same goes for Vidic/Evans instead of Senderos/Silvestre same goes for Malouda/Mikel/Berbatov/Owen as to Diaby, Bendtner, Denilson… Anyones thoughts?
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
usless bloggers liek you are ot good enough to comment on Arsene Wengers choices. now get back to clearing the tables and leave the running of Arsenal FC to the pros.
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
probably the crappiest article in the world
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
Other than Silvestre, I disagree.
All the others are INTERNATIONALS, they may not be playing well (eboue is playing well, haven’t seen enough of senderos or fabianski this year to judge and diaby is inconsistent) but if they’re good enough to compete at international level, they’re good enough for us.
By the way, none of them are starters when everyone is fit so what’s wrong with having them on the bench.
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
You are, an idiot
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
always great to have squad depth and the depth is damn good! id rather have this lot than the chelsea or united bench!!
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
n
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
diaby i dont agree with or eboue. add in denilson and bendter then we talking
anonymous - November 12th, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Just because people dont agree with what the writer has said about certian players they then go to the other extreme.Senderos,Fabinaski & Silvestre are bad players and you dont need to be Wenger to see that.
anonymous - November 13th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Diaby is the WORST player that ever exist in the planet earth.
Sometimes Wenger consider him because of “Brotherhood”.
anonymous - November 13th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Anti abo diaby fans may interest themselves with the link below:
http://desigunner.wordpress.com/2009/11/11/the-number-game-part-ii-midfield-dynamics/
not all the picture but a good read.