This season has been a tough one for the Gooners.  In amongst the bad start, improved middle and testing end there have been some players who have pulled their weight and some that just don’t fit within our team any longer.  I think its time for Arsene to focus on strengthing up the squad and sell the ‘deadwood’ and loan out the out of form stars.  Our wage bill is is as long as our squad list and I think there are a lot of players we could do without and reinvest the money into better suited players for the team. Here is my opinion on our players and who has made my keep, sell and loan list

The Keep list

Wojeich Szczesny- Last season I got nervous when he was in goal, but I have to admit, I’m really glad Wenger perservered with him this season.  I think he has made some incredible saves and he has been a strong goalie.  Obviously he has had a couple of bad games but I think that considering his age and experience that is to be expected, not to mention the failures of the defense this season haven’t helped.  I wouldn’t like an Arsenal team without him.

Bacary Sagna- He has had some bad luck this year but when he is in the team his presence is felt.  He is an solid defender for us, he has the ability to skillfully tackle and run rings round players,  he not only defends but he is a great attacking player too. He has had an unlucky time in regards to leg breaks.  I feel for the player but hopefully next season he’ll be back.

Laurent Koscielny-This player has impressed me no end this season.  The young, and careless Koscielny from last season disappeared and this season he has grown so much as a player.  He is definitely a great asset to our team… I will admit he can be a little harsh with his tackles but as a defender I think you always run the risk of getting booked more than other players because of the nature of what you have to do to stop someone scoring.  He is quick and immense and doesn’t let anyone get past him.  He has been our best defender this season and when he is not in the team we miss him. Give him a year and he will be the defender that will hold the whole team together.

Tomas Vermaelen-Another great defender for Arsenal.  He certainly has had a less injury prone season which has been great as we don’t have many a great replacement for either him or Kos if they are injured. Together with Koscielny they have built up a strong bond in the back 4.  Vermaelen has been a great part of the defense, he is strong and formidable, he blocks and tackles. Although he has had a hit and miss few games over the last month I still think with another new defender he will continue to be a valued part of our back 4.

Andre Santos-A few months ago I actually wrote that this guy should be sold…Well I’ve changed my mind, now that he has had a few more chances I really like his style.  There aren’t many defenders like him anymore, he is the player that never goes down, he is a defender that attacks, can drop back and move forward as and when needed. He generally stays to where he plays best.

Kieran Gibbs- I love this young player, He is so versatile, able to play in many positions.  At the moment we are choosing to keep him left back and thats a good spot for him.  Give him another couple of years to mature and he could possibly be one of the best defenders we’ve ever had.

Mikel Arteta-Wenger said last summer that he was forced to buy Arteta and that he wasn’t his natural choice for a midfielder…well whoever forced wenger I applaud them because he is a great player.  I think Mikel Arteta has been one of the strongest players withing the Arsenal team this year.  He is up there with Van Persie as my choice for top players of the season.  He has created some incredible chances from the midfield role, he has taken some great free kicks and he has scored a few goals, especially that all important one against Man City. We have never had a player settled into our team as much as Arteta. Great season for him and a must keep.

Alex Song- Great player, he has had some criticism online but I will continue to defend Song, his statistics this season are amazing, he has assisted 15 goals and gives his all to each game.  He works so well with Van Persie and he can read the rest of the team so well that he picks up those all important passes that lead to goals.  We need to keep him for sure.  He is a player that our younger midfielders can learn from too.

Tomas Rosicky-We’ve already signed him up for another 4 years and I am really glad.  He is a fast and nifty player, he can swerve and gravitate amongst and through players to get to where he wants.  He has the skill to run away with the ball and the preception to know where to pass and who too.  He has been unlucky with injury but he seems in full flow now.

Yossi Benayoun-When Arsene loaned him I had no idea how well he would fit into our team but he has had an amazing season at Arsenal.  I really hope Chelsea let us keep him, but I got a funny feeling that they won’t.

Jack Wilshere-Although he has been out for the season, we have to keep him because he simply looks like he has the makings of a world class midfielder written all over him!

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain-This is the man that has caused many an Arsenal debate this season, he has also Twitter Trended on every Arsenal game over the last month as #GetTheOxOn.  What an amazing player, we all just wish Wenger would play him more often or even give him 45 mins a game instead of ten mins at the end.  He is just brilliant.  I can’t wait to see him in the team more often, especially upfront with Podolski and Van Persie or on the wing in a 4-4-2 formation.

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