5 Players Arsenal Need to Replace this Summer

As the English Premier League season draws to a close, Arsenal have performed another capitulation and instead of winning their first title in well over a decade, the Gunners are once again embroiled in a fight for the top 4. Much of it is due to the foibles of their manager, in not addressing issues of depth, not improving on a good squad in the summer – barring the acquisition of Petr Cech – and giving contracts to some players who were well in the dusk of their careers. Here’s 5 players we think the Arsenal needs to replace if they want to have a chance at the title next season:

1. Mathieu Flamini

Re-signed in 2013, Flamini added some much needed bite to the team in his first year, but even then, his lack of agility and athleticism to perform at the top level was obvious. Since then, he has been derided quite often, and hasn’t given much to the team beyond his pointing abilities. The Gunners midfield needs an overhaul this season, and sadly there’s no place for Mathieu in it – unless his best-friend, Mesut Ozil, feels lonely in London without him and wants him to stay.

2. Mathieu Debuchy

One cannot help and feel a little sympathy for Debuchy. The Frenchmen joined Arsenal when he was the first choice right back for the France NT, and he didn’t do much wrong since he replaced Bacary Sagna. However, two long term injuries did not help his cause, and the young Spaniard Hector Bellerin took his chance with both hands and made the right back spot his own. Since then, instead of fighting for his spot in a team firmly in the title race, Debuchy has moaned continuously about his lack of playing time until finally he moved on loan in the winter transfer window. There’s no way he stays with Arsenal next season, and if they manage to recoup his 12 million pound fee, it’ll be good business for the Gunners.

3. Mikel Arteta

Once of the Gunners most underappreciated players, he did a great job in righting the flailing ship Arsenal after he was signed from Everton. However, at the age of 34, time is not on his side anymore, and injuries haven’t helped either. A classy captain, a true professional, there’s a good chance that he may join the coaching setup at City once Pep moves there. His experience and personality will be missed, but his body cannot support him at the highest level anymore.

4. Tomas Rosicky

Signed from Borussia Dortmund in 2006, the future promised great things for the Czech player. But the old bane of all Arsenal players, injuries, have peppered and hurt what was a promising footballing career. Despite that, the Little Mozart has continued to be one of the most passionate and positive players at Arsenal, providing many moments of brilliance and glee for the club and the fans, and once he departs, he will be missed by all Gooners.

5. Theo Walcott

Theo Walcott burst on the scene as a fresh teenager full of promise and hope for the future. But since then, he has failed to develop as expected and beyond his brand image and speed, he does not provide much to an Arsenal team. Injuries again have not helped his cause, but even when fit, he often seems like a one trick pony, and his reluctance to backtrack has been troublesome for the defence as well. Against a defence which sits tight, Theo does not provide much, but he could do well in a team like West Ham or perhaps even Leicester who do not dominate possession and instead look to hit teams on the counter. In an Arsenal team however, his contribution has been limited and disappointing.

So there you go, here’s whom we think Arsene and the Arsenal should replace in the summer window. Do you agree or disagree? Discuss.