Arsenal have made a fabulous start to the season which sees them riding high in 2nd place. They are level on points with leaders Manchester City and the early season form showcased by the team is something that Arsenal fans can be happy about. A fresh approach upfront, which has seen Alexis Sanchez turn into the team’s main striker has energized the whole squad. Ozil has been at his usual best and Theo Walcott too has been in good form. Alex Iwobi’s introduction to the first team has been fast tracked as he finds himself starting every weekend now, a luxury that not every 20-year-old enjoys. But the Nigerian has earned his place in the team with enterprising displays that have spurred Arsenal on.
Arsene Wenger has used pretty much the same crop of players since the start of the season, without chopping and changing too much. He has kept faith in his usual boys and barring the opening weekend, they haven’t done anything to let him down. Such displays have seen playing time hard to come by for some of Arsenal’s fringe players. There are many in the squad who have failed to get a look in and this could be a sign of things to come as Arsene will look to move some of them on to reduce the squad size to make room for new additions or promotions from within the famed youth academy.
There is certainly a lot of deadwood in Arsenal’s squad. Wenger has never been a fan of carrying such players who can’t add much to the team’s dynamics. Here are some players that could depart Arsenal in January or even later, in the summer –
Mathieu Debuchy
The Frenchman saw various loan moves fall through in the summer window. He has been stuck in the Arsenal reserves. He hasn’t gotten a look in so far and that might not change, given Bellerin’s fine form. Debuchy spent the second half of last season at Bordeaux trying to gain fitness and also aimed to get into the France Euro 2016 squad but was not included. Debuchy’s Arsenal days seem to be numbered and he could be loaned out yet again or even a permanent deal could be arranged for him to play his football elsewhere. It’s clear Wenger doesn’t see him as a vital player anymore.