Possible Captain Replacements

At the current time of writing, it is still not certain that Cesc will leave. The situation is pretty much the same as it has been all summer, and we will accept a bid that we see as being acceptable.

Inevitably Cesc will accept the contract offer and he will move on, both parties may not be "happy" but the situation will be resolved. The only thing that's changed since the start of the summer is that we've dramatically lowered our asking price - by about a third in my opinion. But since this "issue" is far too complex to even think about properly, let alone blog about means that is the last I will say on the matter for now.

One thing is certain though, if Cesc does leave, we will need a new captain. Some people even think that if he doesn't leave he shouldn't be captain anymore, and throughout his reign as leader many have cast doubts over his quality in that position. Moving on though, here I am weighing up the possible candidates to follow the greats such as Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Tony Adams and George Graham who have previously worn the Arsenal armband.

Jack Wilshere - The first name to come into my head is Jack Wilshere. Jack has been a revelation over the last 18 months, progressing from a Carling Cupper reserve player to Premier League first team at Bolton, then going on to start at Arsenal and England and putting in brilliant performances against the worlds' best. He doesn't seem phased by anything either, and has slotted into the squad like a man twice his age.


In the latter stages of last season, as first-teamers crumbled into their shells Jack stood tall and held his ground, running twice the distance of other players despite his clear signs of fatigue. In pre-season, after a much needed summer of rest, Jack has continued to shine in the absence of Cesc and Nasri and in most games looked like he was leading the team already.


Wilshere is the archetypal English player, and wears his heart on his sleeve, not afraid or intimidated by anyone on the pitch. His rise into the first team showed up other players lack of desire, which has been a key attribute missing over the last few years. He's surely a captain for the future, but this summer may come too early for him.

Thomas Vermaelen - Vermaelen was sorely missed last year, the lack of defensively stability, experience and overall leadership and organisation in defence contributed significantly to our unsuccessful title challenge.


Thomas has excelled since he joined Arsenal and when fit is unquestionably one of the best defenders in the division. Despite not being physically imposing, he is more than capable of holding his own against any defender or striker. Defenders are known as great captains, being in the heart of the action and able to see the whole pitch in-front of them.


Having been Captain before at Ajax and for the Belgium national team, Thomas knows exactly what is needed to lead and has exceptional ability in organising the defence and leading by example. Also, when previously mooted over possible captaincy, Vermaelen responded saying:

"It gives me a good feeling, being captain, If the coach turns round and says you’re the captain it’s a big honour for me."

Vermaelen would be a popular choice in the squad and among supporters, and I think is best suited to the job. Even if he doesn't get the armband, he will be leading the team in some way or other.

Robin Van Persie - If Fabregas does go, Robin will be our best player and arguably our only world class player too. He is into his prime now too, and his statistics for last season, or more accurately the half of the season he played, are second to none.


Van Persie is the current Vice-Captain and has done OK so far when called upon to wear the armband. He hasn't been spectacularly vocal, but like Cesc does he leads by example and is amply respected by other members of the squad. If he does not get the armband, he may well be offended and Arsene will be unwise to upset such a key player, especially with his contract issue (Robin will be in the same situation as Nasri is now next summer)


He is not a classic captain figure, but is capable of growing into the role - just as he has admirably grown in the centre forward role over the last few years. A question mark will remain over how many games he'll be able to feature in, but hopefully he can put that all behind him.

Aaron Ramsey - Not many players boast the CV of Aaron Ramsey, even though he's had to suffer over a year of injury after been assaulted by a stupid thug. F.A cup finalist at 18, transfer to one of Europe's biggest teams that same year and captain of his country at 21.


Ramsey showed his fighting spirit in coming back so quickly after that "challenge" and was brilliant as we best United in May. He oozes class with every touch and may well be the play Wenger turns to in a bid to replace Cesc, which is a big sign of trust.


He may only be an outsider, but there have been more surprising things known to happen in football before.




Other candidates could be a new Centre-back signing (if we ever sign one) as all Samba, Cahill & Jagielka have brilliant leadership skills. Thomas Rosicky is probably our most experienced play too, but will be unlikely to be made captain as he won't be in the first team. 


An incredibly unlikely move would be to install Sagna as Cesc's replacement. The best right back in the Premier League is the pinnacle of consistency and will always be in the first team. However the armband may be a distraction from his game, and he has no previous captain experience.


Who would you have as Arsenal captain? Have I missed any other possible candidates? Let me know what you think.

Arsenal Exodus?

Times seem to be changing at Arsenal football club. 


The upstairs has been reshuffled with 'Silent Stan' now the man in charge, and with Alisher Usmanov not giving up his 27% stake the two major shareholders could be in for a collision course. There are also rumours about change in backroom staff being changed around before the start of the season, although longserving assistant Pat Rice looks set to stay in his role for at least another season.


Most prominently addressed though, is the transfer market activity that Wenger looks set to embark upon this summer, after another dismal ending to a season saw us finish yet again without a trophy. Today i'm going to look at the players who could leave Arsenal, and weighing up the pros and cons of each situation.


Goalkeepers:


Vito Mannone - Vito had a decent start to his career at Arsenal, with an excellent performance at Fulham and is yet to be on the losing side in any of his 9 games for the club. The young keeper also had a very impressive, albeit quite injury prone, season whilst at Hull, although this has led to speculation of a bid - either loan or premanent - happening this summer form the Championship side. Also, the Italian under 21 international would like assurances over first team football, and competition with Szczesny, Fabianski, and possibly one of Lehmann and Almunia, Arsene would not be able to give him any guarantees. 
Verdict: Loan out for another season to a Premiership team. See if other keepers are up to scratch.


Manuel Almunia - There is not a player at Arsenal that fans would not prefer to see leave this summer. The uncapped (suprise suprise) Spaniard has had another woeful season, bar 70 minutes in the Nou Camp, and frankly does not deserve his 50k/week or to have worn the shirt that greats such as Seaman, Lehmann and Wilson earnt the right to wear. However, a stumbling block to get rid of Manuel is his wages as not many clubs can afford to spend that money on a player of his quality. Wenger has also recently hinted that Almunia could stay till next year.
Verdict: Please kick him out Wenger


Jens Lehmann - Eveyone's favorite crazy German has stated that he would like to stay on next season, after coming out of retirement amid our mid-season goalkeeping fiasco. He said:

"From my performance I would be able to continue playing. My teammates are always asking me if I'll still be here next season.''

However his contract will expire in the summer and with competition form our other goalkeeping options, I wouldn't bet on him increasing his 200 appreances.
Verdict: Out the door, surely?




Defenders:


Gael Clichy - The 25 year old is one of the long serving members of the club and has been the main left back at the club since 2006. He is a popular figure within the club and is just starting to gain a starting place in his national XI. However since showing great promise earlier in his career, he has not progressed into a world class player which we all thought he could be. His consistency has vanished and he has made key errors in important moments over the last few years. The Frenchmans' contract does expire next summer and Wenger wants to get his signature in the summer, instead of risking another Flamini situation. Coupled to this, there have also been many calls to sign Baines, Izaguirre and Enrique this summer, whilst Gibbs and possibly Traore and Botelho could make a claim to the position. Although the younger options do not seem ready in my eyes.
Verdict: Will sign a new contract.


Sebastian Squillaci - After an appalling start to his Arsenal career, Squillaci has not showed nearly any of his quality that helped him gain a place in the French world Cup team. If he carries on his form next year, he could rival Silvestre's claim for worst Wenger defensive signing. Although he is surely going to stay and try to prove himself.
Verdict: Will stay, but needs to improve. Drastically.


Bacary Sagna - As he is one of the best right backs in the world we will constantly face media speculation over his transfer to another one of Europe's giants. However, unless we receive absurd amounts of money, or a Messi in exchange, he isn't going anywhere.
Verdict: Certainly staying.


Emmanuel Eboue - Eboue is an amazing person to come back from the dead as he did after the Wigan match. Many a weaker man would have given up and left, so credit to his strength in that capacity. However, the talent is just not there. Consistent mistakes, at costly moments have not helped his first team push, but with a world class player in Bacary Sagna ahead of him he cannot expect anything. Interest from Italy could be reignited in the summer and we might consider a realistic bid.
Verdict: Will probably stay at least one more year.




Midfielders:


Denilson - Another player who has failed to live up to the potential he showed, and Wilshere's rise this season shunned him to the sidelines. As fans we're sick of seeing him lazily not tracking back and he even insulted the captain in a interview in Brazil. After stating his desire to leave the club, with the ludicrous explanation that he is a 'winner,' Denilson will definitely leave this summer. Apparently Roma and some Spanish teams are in for him for around 5-8 million euros, which seems quite good for someone who would have been a 6th choice central midfielder.
Verdict: Jumped before he was pushed.


Rosicky - Used to be a key member of the first team. However almost three years out with petty injuries has ruined the little playmaker. He is another who was easily overtaken by Wilshere and Ramsey, and personally I think Lansbury and other youngsters could easily do his job in the first team. After signing a new contract in 2009 he probably has a few years left, but if we offered him to clubs we could receive the £8million that we paid for him.
Verdict: Will go, for right bid.


Cesc Fabregas - No sane Arsenal fan would like to see Fabregas leave Arsenal football club. Our captain has served us well, and is arguably one of the best attacking players in the Premier league. To lose one of our only world class players would be a tragedy, and his exit could see others such as Nasri leave too. However, although he does love Arsenal, Barcelona was his first love and if they pay us what he is worth, around £50-60million he will leave, no matter what Wenger is saying at the moment he knows this too.
Verdict: Hopefully he wont go, yet.


Andrey Arshavin - At times Andrey can look world class. But most of the time he lazily wonders about the pitch, and sometimes he can't control or pass the ball properly. This season a lot of people have grown to be frustrated with the little Russian and seem willing in trade him in for some Russian oil money. However Wenger has told Andrey of his desire to keep him for at least another year, and Arshavin seems happy to oblige. Hopefully we'll see more of this Arshavin next year.
Verdict: Staying, but has to improve.


Samir Nasri - The Samir Nasri situation is the most confusing at this moment, although it could easily be settled. His contract expires next year, and if he is reluctant to agree new terms he will have to go. The talks seem to be ongoing and Samir is probably just trying to squeeze a bit more cash on his weekly wage, though when you're earning that much does it even matter? Hopefully the situation will be settled soon and the Frenchman will stay as we cannot afford to lose one of our quality players, especially when we could easily lose Fabregas. One thing is certain though, he will not go to Manchester United.
Verdict: We have to make him sign, cannot afford to lose him.


Attackers:


Nicklas Bendtner -  Bendtner will leave Arsenal this season. That what him and his dad have been saying recently. The tall, Danish international seems to split most of the fans like marmite and most of us hate him. He does have very good stats though - 58 goals in nearly 200 games as a 23 year old is not too bad at all - and if he were in another league I could easily imagine us going in for him. However, his lack of first team football this year due to Van Persie's amazing form, coupled with his dislike to playing on the wing has seen his relationship with Arsene and Arsenal deteriorate and he is almost certain to leave.
Verdict: Will leave for quite a lot of money. Mistake or not?


Marouane Chamakh - The lanky forward did make a good start to the season, but after November did anyone see anything from him? He did struggle for fitness, but as Wenger interest in forwards such as Rondon, Falcao and Benzema shows, he is not the player we thought we were getting last summer. I'm not the biggest fan and if we do get a bid around £10 million I would definitely accept it bid without thinking. Although after waiting a year to get Marouane, would Wenger?
Verdict: Will stay, unless surprising bid comes in.


Overall, I can't see too much change happening this summer as Wenger will prefer to keep the nucleus of our squad together. However the exit of a couple big name players, and no quality replacements being brought in could spark a domino affect. If you want information on our transfer budget to spend, give this a read. It's quite long, but excellent yet again from The Swiss Ramble.


Hope you enjoy.