Not Good Enough: Arsenal Should Axe These Three Under Performers Against Wigan

What was supposed to be a great season for Arsenal has turned out to be a disappointing affair albeit Arsenal fans would have been happy if they knew that they could win the FA Cup and finish 4th after their opening day defeat at the hands of Aston Villa. But having signed Mesut Ozil and led the table for almost two-thirds of the season, Arsenal are back where they usually belong, they have lost it at the wrong time of the season yet again when it matters the most.

The 3-0 loss to Everton pretty much sums up everything that is happening around the Emirates in the past few weeks. But amid all the depressing turnouts of the season, the one positive note is that there is still a glimmer chance of lifting a trophy and certainly this weekend’s clash against Wigan is the most important game of the season. A win will not only get them one step closer to the trophy but it will give that confidence and hunger to win their remaining games in the league and finish above Everton.

But Arsene Wenger must realise that Wigan are no easy opponents and the upset that they caused last term against Manchester City should be at the back of his mind. And with that, he must drop certain non performers from his team to be able to provide a tough challenge. We note down three such players whom Arsenal must bench when they take the field.

Olivier Giroud

The one player whose non performance has affected the team most is their leading striker. When a team has just one recognised striker in their squad, it is a strange dilemma that the manager has to face when that man’s form starts to deteriorate. Neither can he be benched for the absence of any other quality players and nor is it meaningful to keep him playing in spite of his poor show. But Giroud has now given Wenger enough reasons to bench him and give youngster Yaya Sanogo a chance upfront. He has missed sitters, displayed a low work-rate, showed unprofessionalism off the field and practically not justified his selection time and again. It would not harm to have Sanogo for a change and see the physical effects that he has on the team.

Mikel Arteta

The Spaniard’s main flaw this season has been his lack of physicality. Arsenal are easily bullied in midfield by physically stronger teams and Arteta seems ineffective in those situations. Wigan, who are known for their typical English style of play, would try and press Arsenal and that may render Areta ineffective. To avoid this, Kim Kallstrom should be given preference ahead of Arteta on Saturday and if the Swansea match is revisited, it would be evident that Kallstrom was able to nullify Swansea’s physicality in the midfield to a lot extent.

Or for that matter, a combination of Ramsey and Flamini would not be bad as well. The Welshman was the only positive to take from the Everton match.

Nacho Monreal

The left back was brought to the club on an emergency basis last January after an injury to Gibbs. But so far he has played only in parts and has failed to maintain the consistency that a title winning squad should have. His showing against Everton was extremely poor and it was also made poor by the lack of support that he got from the rest of the squad. The good news for Arsenal fans is that Gibbs is now back from injury and could if he could prove his fitness before Sunday’s clash, then he might very well replace Monreal.

If not Wenger can use Vermaelen on the left, provided if Koscielny returns in time. Sagna at left back is also another option.