With more than a month to go for the start of the next BPL campaign, this post is way too early. But my excitement has reached fever pitch and here goes my first blog about Arsenal for the 2009-2010 campaign. What I want to do in this blog is to give a quick run through on all the players who are expected to play a major hand in the season and the reasons why we should keep them (and why should not keep them).
Manuel Almunia: Generally a good, if not unremarkable or poor season for the Spaniard. He started the last season as the main keeper for the first time. He had his gaffe's along the way but did please his punters more than he disappointed them. His best performance saved Arsenal the embarrasment of a drubbing at Old Trafford in the UCL SF. With a shaky defense in front of him, he would be expected to have top games for him to come anywhere near the golden gloves.
Why keep him:
He his established now and a further change at the back could expose the defense even more and would bring in the stability factor even more. With finances, precious little and a very stable GK, the money could be used effectively elsewhere. With the 6+5 rule gaining ground and Almunia already a pseudo Englishmen, he could be a shoo-in for the next English GK job.
Why to sell him: He will never be your Buffon and is prone to calamities. He is hardly an inspiring figure at the back
Bacary Sagna: After a sensational first season, he did have his critics last season. He made a heart stopping goal-line clearence last season but apart from that, his defences were decent enough only. He still can't cross to save his life and was found out on occasions. With this being the WC year, Sagna would up the ante to get into the flight.
Why keep him: Was one of the best RB's the year before and is no mug with defending (something which need not apply to the other defenders we have). With an injury curtailing his presence last season, he will want to prove his detractors wrong.
Why sell him: The way Arsenal play, they depend so much on their FB's bombing forward and providing crosses/through balls and Sagna is not the greatest in doing them. With Madrid searching for a RB, we could sell him for a minimum of 20 million quid.
Gael Clichy: The quintessial Wenger signing; A little known French club: check, Small: check, Fast: Check, Great Potential: Check. Clichy, one of the few players to have shared the dressing room with the 49'ers and one player who has all the Arsenal principles inside him, has had a great last few seasons. He also slacked off at the end of last season.
Why keep him: Experience at this level is key and Clichy knows it all. Had a stomper of a season before last but triggered Gallas's head to gigantic proportions. But has learned from his mistakes and is usually brilliant. Was considered as captaincy material before Cesc got the armband. With this the WC year, he will be striving to beat Evra and Abidal to a first team slot.
Why sell him: With Madrid along with 10,000 other clubs in Europe wanting him, Wenger can make a killing with his selling. And this is also one area of the pitch where we are blessed with enough bodies to take into a war and still survive; Gibbs, Traore, Eboue, Gallas and Vermaelen.
Kolo Toure: The embodiment of Mr. Arsenal until last January where he sensationally demanded to be tranferred to Man Citeh. Is one of few remaining 49'er and one guy who has got pace to burn along with good defences. Has experience written all over him and is a great person to crank up the atmosphere in the dressing room.
Why keep him: With the arrival of Thomas Vermaelen, our defense seems to have improved but if Tour leaves, it will put us back to square one, with luminaries such as Senderos and Djourou as replacements.
Why sell him: He has lost most of his commitment at this club, or atleast seemed to have, and could be an influence to those who do not like Gallas. With the ANC coming up this year again, Toure will anyway not turn up for the best part of two months.
William Gallas: The one remaining World class CB and the one who cares for this team irrespective of all the AWOL's he has done. Plucked controversially from cross-town rivals, Chelsea, Gallas has come a long way since his 'Novembergate' against Wenger and Arsenal. Was one of the main reasons why Arsenal reached the business end of the cups last season.
Why keep him: With no experience whatsoever, Gallas is a crowning jewel while the others are still in their wombs in that regard. He knows what it takes to be a BPL winner and is an inspirational figure.
Why sell him: With age fast catching up on him, Gallas might anyway not sign a new contract in a year's time, so why not cash in when the opportunity is there. He has been prone to public outbursts in the past, something which the younger players might not take too kindly.
Thomas Vermaelen: A new signing at the Emirates, the only one so far, the Belgian has been described as a no-nonsense defender in many papers. At just 24, he is a new wave of Belgians along with Witslel, Fellaini, and Defour. Although not exactly like Vidic, he could develop like Vidic given the time.
No keep him and sell him for obvious reasons.
Emmanuel Eboue: An enigma and a unique player, one of the very few at Arsenal. A versatile player who can play in atleast four positions, Eboue has seen it all at Emirates. He was the part of the back four which gave nothing away in that incredible run to the finals. His fortunes crumbled last season when he was booed of by sections of his own fans.
Why keep him: A very good squad player for a top-4 club and can put in a decent shift at RB and LB when the first team players get injured.
Why sell him: Whenever he is on the pitch, he is a red card waiting to happen. He could still give us significant funds for us to invest in other areas of the pitch.
Phil Senderos: Was touted the next everything when he was signed by us, but hsa sadly degenerated. Went to Milan on-loan last season but has still not improved. Could be a good squad player against any team which does have the name DROGBA.
Why keep him: Has played about a hundred odd games for us and could yet develop into a decent player.
Why sell him: Too many cooks spoil the broth.
Johan Djourou: The other part of the Swiss duo at the club. Promised great things while signing but again one more embryo of the Arsene policy, which has not matured into a fully grown infant. Is usually bullied but sometimes does give it back. He could have utilised last season to show his worthfulnes but did not.
Why keep him: A known devil is better than unknown angel.
Why sell him: Could be the next Pascal Cygan
Kieran Gibbs: A magnificient Under19 and reserves player who was catapulted into the world stage last season, Gibbs played beautifully in the fag end of the last campaign. If not for that one decisive slip, Madrid would have put in a 100 Million dollar bid for him. Is one of the triumvirate's of a new English wave at Arsenal.
The Midfielders:
Cesc Fabregas: A precocious 16 year old, another typical Wenger signing. One of the few players who will walk into any team, our Captain Fantastic(or Captain Fabtastic). One of our most experienced players and the heartbeat of the team, is the idol for every youngster who signs for the club.
Why keep him: If we have to show any ambition and any interest in lifting a silver-ware, he will have to be here to oversee those particular proceedings. Besides, thisis how we lure our youngsters. Just follow Cesc.
Why sell him: Our most marketable player, Real and Barcelona will enter into a bidding war and Wenger can build a bank in North London from his transfer.
The rest of the players who could have a major impact in the coming will be on air (cyber space) tomorrow.