It’s been a roller coaster ride for the Arsenal fans in the Transfer Tavern this year but the most recent dip is one that the Gunners may not be able to recover from, costing them their desires this season.
With four Premier League games without a win, and failing to score in the last three, Arsenal dropped to fourth position in the table. Just a month ago, the Gunners were first and on a steady course to win their first league title in 12 years.
However the situation has changed dramatically since. Now trailing league leaders Leicester City by five points with 14 games to go, it would take a massive turnaround for Arsenal to revive their season and lift the title come May. It’s not impossible but it’s highly unlikely.
Arsenal will be extremely frustrated, and injuries can be blamed in some aspects, but it’s quite clear it’s down to the players. The Gunners boast one of the strongest sides in the division, yet still struggle to make it count.
These five players in particular have been lacklustre this season and their shortcomings will have had a drastic effect on the campaign.
Hit the image below to see FIVE Arsenal players not cutting it this season!
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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Struggling with injuries significantly in the past few seasons, this was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s year to make a lasting impression at Arsenal. It started well with the winning goal in the Community Shield victory over Chelsea but it’s all gone downhill since.
Failing to find form, and crashing down the pecking order as a result, Oxlade-Chamberlain has offered very little positives to Arsenal supporters. When he starts, a massive weak point is exposed on the team and, as such, the fans confidence in the England international has tumbled.
At this rate, there’s no way we can see Oxlade-Chamberlain getting a spot in Roy Hodgson’s European Championship squad and his future will be unclear if the disappointing performances continue.
Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott was flying at the end of the last season and came into the new campaign in similar fashion, cementing himself as first-choice striker ahead of Olivier Giroud. Then, his season curtailed with injury and he hasn’t found his feet since.
Shifted into the wider roles once again due to Arsenal’s injury problems, Walcott failed to impress at all and has been outshone by Joel Campbell- so much so that many regard the Costa Rican as first-choice winger ahead of Walcott.
Olivier Giroud has found form again up top and although he does need support, Walcott has failed to show that he can consistently be the man Arsenal need. Come the summer, a new striker may well be signed and Walcott could return to a wider role, or indeed the bench.
Mathieu Flamini
Arsenal fans aren’t too keen on Mathieu Flamini and his performances haven’t done too much to appease them. Even when he scored two winning goals against Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup, the big question mark was the fact that he found himself in that position at all.
It could have been dubbed as determination, or a winning desire, but the holding midfielder has constantly abandoned his duties and left Arsenal exposed. As a result, whoever his midfield partner is has to change their own approach to the game.
It’s simply inexcusable, particularly for such an experienced player, and Arsenal fans will be praying Francis Coquelin’s return means they don’t have to deal with the Frenchman any more.
Aaron Ramsey
Ramsey started the season out wide, where he was largely ineffective, but his return to a favoured central role following injuries to Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla saw better form. He found the net again, and performed better, but he’s still been lacking.
In recent games particularly, Aaron Ramsey has struggled to control the midfield and the flow of the game. In Arsenal’s set-up, the deeper midfield duo need to become the bridge between defence and attack- which is something Ramsey has failed to do at all.
The question you have to ask yourself is, has Aaron Ramsey done enough to show he deserves to be a starter when Cazorla returns? The answer, unfortunately, is a resounding no.
Kieran Gibbs
Kieran Gibbs has had limited opportunities but it says a lot that he’s struggled to find game time in his natural role. Sure, Nacho Monreal has been excellent on the left-side of defence and is up there with Arsenal’s best players this season, but even he needs a rest.
Gibbs has been lacklustre and the few chances he gets shows that he’s not exactly impressing behind the scenes. With links suggesting a move for Leicester City full-back Ben Chilwell, question marks regarding Gibbs’ long-term future have begun to arise.
Once seen as a future regular for England, Gibbs has dropped a wealth of players in that particular pecking order and he may even find himself out of Arsene Wenger’s plans too.
