These six Gunners NEED to go + who should come in.
Arsenal suffered yet another humiliating defeat this weekend as they went down 3-2 away to Stoke City. As time goes on, Arsene Wenger is feeling the heat more and more, but is it the manager or the players who need to improve?
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Read on for a look at six current Arsenal players not doing enough, and six rumoured transfer targets who could make ideal replacements for them in this Gunners squad.
Out – Per Mertesacker
In – Mats Hummels
Despite some fine form last season, Per Mertesacker has been far worse this season and does not look like being the calibre of player to take Arsenal forward. Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund’s Mats Hummels could be available either this January or next summer and would make a major upgrade alongside Laurent Koscielny.
Out – Wojciech Szczesny
In – Petr Cech
Although he cannot be blamed for too many recent poor results due being absent through injury, doubts remain over Wojciech Szczesny’s suitability as number one for a top club. Unsettled Chelsea star Petr Cech has been linked with the Gunners recently, so Wenger clearly feels he could improve on the Pole, and there’s no doubt Cech would be a superb addition if he does leave Stamford Bridge for first-team football.
Out – Mikel Arteta
In – Yohan Cabaye
A surprise choice as new Arsenal captain this season after the departure of Thomas Vermaelen, Mikel Arteta has not lived up to his previous solid form in the Gunners’ midfield. The ageing Spaniard does not look able to play that deep-lying role any longer, and if rumours are to be believed, fans should hope the club do manage to bring in Paris Saint-Germain’s Yohan Cabaye as an ideal replacement in that position.
Out – Mathieu Flamini
In – Morgan Schneiderlin
Another midfield player who certainly looks far from good enough for Arsenal at the moment, Mathieu Flamini should not be first choice for a club of this size and could even be shipped out to free up space on the wage bill. Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin has been in superb form this season and looks the kind of defensive midfield player the Gunners need instead, and for £15m he would certainly be an astute purchase.
Out – Mesut Ozil
In – Julian Draxler
Another player out injured at the moment, but another who has generally been worryingly poor in recent times, Mesut Ozil really does not look the business considering the amount Arsenal paid for him. In his place, a superb German youngster in Julian Draxler could be the ideal like-for-like replacement, having shone for Schalke to attract plenty of interest from top clubs including Arsenal in recent times.
Out – Danny Welbeck
In – Paulo Dybala
A player tipped to shine when given a regular chance in his preferred central striker role, Danny Welbeck hasn’t quite done it since his £16m move from Manchester United, which looked a little desperate from Arsenal at the time. The 23-year-old may be decent as a squad player, but the truly outstanding talent Wenger’s side needs upfront is Palermo’s in-form wonderkid Paulo Dybala, who has lit up Serie A this season to attract rumours of a £31m bid from the Gunners.
