Arsenal fans find themselves feeling far more cheerful than they did on the opening day of 2015.
Since that 2-0 humbling against Southampton at St Mary’s, the Gunners have started to find some form , picking up four consecutive victories in all competitions to cement their challenge for the top four as well as successfully progressing to the fifth round of the FA Cup.
What’s more, Arsene Wenger has even looked busy in the transfer market bringing Legia Warsaw’s Krystian Bielik and Villarreal’s Gabriel Paulista to the Emirates Stadium so far this winter.
It has left Arsenal supporters asking the question; why has it taken until the turn of the year to find a bit of consistent form?
Their early season slump has put to bed any hopes of a title challenge, however the form of Alexis Sanchez and the returns to fitness of Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott bodes well for the future.
The Gunners have the makings of a title winning squad with just a few minor incomings and outgoings needed to launch a genuine assault on the title next term.
Here we have identified five players who may not be at the Emirates Stadium to help the cause next season.
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Click on Arsene Wenger to reveal the 5 Arsenal stars who won’t be lining up at Emirates Stadium next term.
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Serge Gnabry
An extremely promising talent without any doubt, unfortunately for Arsenal fans, Serge Gnabry is yet to appear for the Gunners this term after suffering a long-term knee injury that has kept him out of action since early 2014.
Last appearing against Bayern Munich in the Champions League back in March last year, German youth international Gnabry could go on to become a future star of Arsenal but the general consensus from our resident Gooners is that once he has recovered from injury, a loan spell at the start of 2015/16 could be just the tonic for him to continue developing.
With Yaya Sanogo departing on loan to Crystal Palace this month, a similar move for Gnabry would be deemed worthwhile and clubs such as Southampton were previously linked with a temporary swoop last summer.
Chuba Akpom
The 19-year-old was predicted to have a big future at the Emirates Stadium but a lack of first team opportunities means he is likely to move on when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Domestic rivals Liverpool are understood to be interested in the pacey striker who featured as a substitute during the Gunners’ 2-3 win over Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend.
Akpom failed to get an opportunity up top even when Giroud and Walcott were out injured during the first half of the season. The fact Yaya Sanogo was given more of a chance to prove what he can do suggests he won’t be in a hurry to sign a new deal at the Emirates Stadium.
Joel Campbell
Another young striker on the books at the Emirates Stadium who may feel aggrieved at the lack of first team opportunities afforded to him is Joel Campbell who joined Villarreal on loan as part of the Gabriel Paulista deal this week.
The young forward impressed last season whilst on loan at Olympiakos and helped Costa Rica to a shock quarter final place during the summer’s World Cup.
Yet he has been restricted to the odd appearances this season and has been linked with moves to Newcastle United amongst other Premier League clubs. Similarly to Akpom, it would be a shock if he remained at the Emirates next season.
Wojciech Szczesny
It’s been a testing few weeks for Arsenal’s young Polish goalkeeper. Having been forced to put up with rumours for the best part of 18 months that Wenger is chasing a new number one, Szczesny has lot his place in the Arsenal first team to David Ospina – a change which has coincided with four consecutive victories.
The fact he became the latest Arsenal player to be caught smoking has not helped his cause either. Reports continue to suggest Wenger is on the hunt for a proven world class goalkeeper, leaving Szczesny’s future at the Emirates in serious doubt.
Mathieu Flamini
It is no secret that Arsene Wenger is desperate to add a top class defensive midfielder to his squad which would leave Frenchman Mathieu Flamini vulnerable to the chop.
The emergence of Francis Coquelin in that role, not to mention Mikel Arteta’s signature of a new deal yesterday has also not helped Flamini’s cause.
Now 30-years-of-age, it would not be a surprise if Flamini was one of those sacraficed in the summer in order to make room for a new arrival, considering he has struggled for consistency since rejoining the club from AC Milan in the summer of 2013.
