Analysis: In our congregation of ‘ineffectual players’, who stays? And, who goes?
I must admit, I’m not exactly in favour of the term ‘deadwood’ in describing football players; not least those representing our club; who other than being footballers, are also humans, and deserve our respect. Having said that, there are certain players in the Arsenal team who haven’t quite been up to the standards our club represents (or, should represent). Many haven’t produced the goods for years and are consuming chunks off our wage bills. For us as a football club to take that next leap, there is a need to remove these players from the squad and add players who actually will contribute to the team’s goals and push the already established players to up their game. Jenkinson, Debuchy, Chambers, Gibbs, are some of the players whose future remains uncertain for footballing reasons. The club have recently released Sanogo; which is positive news, although the young man’s inadequacies begs the question as to why he was signed in the first place (perhaps his hat trick for his previous club Auxerre just prior to his transfer skewed people’s thinking about his ability). We wish the youngster the best for his career.
When Carl Jenkinson signed for Arsenal in 2011; being relatively unknown, big things weren’t exactly expected of him. But, when Sagna had a prolonged spell on the side lines with an injury, the young Carl was thrown into the first team and he duly obliged with some impressive performances, which culminated in his England debut in 2012. All of those seem like light years ago. A stress fracture in his lower back meant a spell on the side lines and since then he’s been in and out of the team. A loan spell at West Ham United last season hasn’t really resurrected the youngster’s carrier, and the general consensus is that he will leave this summer – which would be a shame because, like Wilshere, the lad really plays for the shirt. Having said that, I think if Debuchy does move away, we’d need another right back and keeping Jenko might not be the worst of ideas.
The Frenchman, Mathieu Debuchy signed in 2014 came into the team after a solid season for Newcastle as a direct replacement for the already departed Sagna- but, things soon went terribly out of script – through no fault of his own. He dislocated his ankle ligaments in a 2-2 draw against Manchester City ruling him out for three months. Just when it seemed he had regained his spot in the first team, he suffered another injury- this time to his shoulder, in a league game against Stoke City, ruling him out for yet another three months. Then with the rapid emergence of Bellerin and his continual fitness problems; he has since faced a difficult battle to get back into the first team. A loan move to Bordeaux not having the required effect. Like Jenkinson, he is expected to leave this summer and a move back to France has been touted. It’s a really sad because injury has robbed us of the Frenchman’s talent. At, 32, it is highly unlikely that he will return to his best levels, and for everyone’s best interest, a move away from the club should happen.
Who do you think should be kept at Arsenal?
Precious Et Al