Keep, Sell, or Loan the Arsenal Edition: Goalkeepers + Defenders
In light of this past weekend’s miserable and, let’s be honest, perfectly predictable demise against Manchester United, Arsenal fans are on the verge of another massive coronary. After seven months of effort and travel, the draw against Hull and the losses versus Barcelona and United are set to unravel the entire campaign. While many have set their sights on Arsene Wenger and management, it wouldn’t be entirely fair without examining the squad in a round of Keep, Sell, or Loan.
The sentiment is simple: based on their contributions, history, and potential, what should Arsenal do with their players? Give them a new contract or ship them off to the midlands? Today, we’ll start with the Keepers + Defenders, but with much of the squad in flux and another Premier League title on the verge of slipping away, these opinions are likely polarizing to say the least.
Petr Cech
Keepers
David Ospina, Sell:
When the Columbian debutant make the summer move to Arsenal following the World Cup, he believed that he’d fight it out with Wojciech Szczesny for first choice. And it worked! As the Pole in Goal had many questionable performances, Ospina actually reveled in the role, becoming Arsenal’s Premier + Champions League starter by season’s end with one of the world’s best save-to-goal ratios. However, the arrival of Petr Cech from Chelsea signified a new stranglehold on the position with Ospina as the main sufferer.
Of course, rumors have linked Ospina with a move away from Arsenal and you can’t fault the 27 year-old for chasing a new first-choice opportunity. If he’d like to leave the club this summer, Wenger should absolutely oblige.
Petr Cech, Keep:
This, other than Mesut Ozil, may be one of the piece’s most obvious answers. For as many shortcomings as Wenger may have these days, he knew that Cech was too good of an offer to pass up. At the end of the day, Ospina and Szczesny are fine keepers, but to move for one of the world’s best was a no-brainer. Even more recently, there’s been some chatter about Cech potentially be named Arsenal’s next captain. It’s too bad that Jose Mourinho was sacked because we’d love to see the egg on his face now.
Wojciech Szczesny, Loan:
Unless Szczesny, like Ospina, requests a move away from the Emirates on a more permanent basis, it might behoove the club to loan him out again. Although he’s prospering in Rome, the Polish International had struggled to put together long streaks of consistent football during his long tenure at Arsenal. There’s no denying his potential, but with Cech on tap for years to come, it’s worth giving Szczesny first-team football until he’s ready or leaves for good.
Emiliano Martinez, Keep:
For a short period of time last year, it looked like Emiliano Martinez was about to shoved into the Arsenal first-choice role due to injury. And you know? Martinez showed some great talent and potential, even shutting out Borussia Dortmund in his emergency Champions League debut. Many out there believe that Martinez is destined to be Arsenal’s future number one, but an injury-riddled year at Wolverhampton has put that on hold.
However, with Cech’s nearly spotless bill of health, letting Martinez grow and learn behind a legend would be a fantastic choice for the club to make.
Defenders
Kieran Gibbs
Kieran Gibbs, Keep:
In a way, you’ve got to feel bad for Kieran Gibbs, once seen as a crucial figure in the club’s English core. After Nacho Monreal’s sudden and swift ascent to league-wide supremacy, Gibbs has become a bit of an afterthought, starting in matches of lesser importance or brief appearances past the 80th minute. Undoubtedly, 2015-2016 has been rough for Gibbs, mostly highlighted by a late equalizer against Spurs in November, but, as a backup, the club could do far worse.
Mathieu Debuchy, Sell:
It’s unfortunate and, at this point, it seems like a foregone conclusion. After the World Cup, Debuchy’s purchase from Newcastle was a near unanimously praised by critics and pundits alike. Of course, you know the story, two massive and unlucky injuries allowed for Bellerin’s takeover without much wiggle room thereafter. With his last chance at Euros on the horizon, his move away from the club in January will likely turn permanent come summertime.
His veteran leadership was welcomed greatly and his injuries depressing, but, much like Ospina, if the man wants first-choice football, and he clearly does, then Wenger should let him leave and all parties will be better off in the long run.
Nacho Monreal, Keep:
Well, considering Nacho Monreal just signed a new long-term in January, this case is fairly shut and dry. But who could’ve predicted his massive rise to prominence? Not only has he been Arsenal’s most consistent contributor over the last two seasons, but he’s been a bright spot for the position across the league as a whole. His cool demeanor and calm certainty has made him a rock for the club and a must-play when he’s healthy.
Without a doubt, Monreal has played a huge role in solidifying a stout Arsenal backline — and the 26 goals allowed, good for second best in the league, proves it.
Per Mertesacker
Per Mertesacker, Keep:
Ah, finally we’ve made it here — in fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if 75% of our readers scrolled right down to this spot on the page. Listen, he’s polarizing, we get it. And I know, his pace, or lack thereof, can really get the club in trouble at times, but have fans come down with a permanent case of the what have you done for me latelys? The German World Cup winning defender has been a staple for Arsenal since his arrival in 2011, but many are wondering if his age and qualities are being passed by in an ever-evolving league.
Mertesacker is not a flashy player, in fact, some might even compare his grace to that of a baby deer learning to walk (whoops, sorry, Yaya…) but he does so many little things to perfection. Whether that’s winning aerial duels or positioning his body in just the right spot, he and Laurent Koscielny have created a formidable pair in front of the keeper. Take Sunday’s nightmare against United — sure, Koscielny changed the direction of the cross, but I would wager that Mertesacker deals with that more effectively than Gabriel. One wayward deflection later and Arsenal were in a hole they’d never quite dig themselves out of.
The second goal, in which Koscielny was trapped guarding space, may have been, without too much speculation, caused by poor communication between him and the weaker English-speaking Gabriel. If that’s too much of a jump, it’s clear that the Frenchman missed his looming partner-in-crime either way. At the end of the day, I do think Wenger needs to be more lenient with swapping out Mertesacker when the situation calls for it, but to ship off the team’s vice-captain would be harsh and irresponsible with just Gabriel behind him.
Calum Chambers, Loan:
Calum Chambers, or more affectionately known as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s newest punching bag, has played far less this season than in 2014-2015’s injury-plagued campaign, but he’s impressed in his small stints. In fact, he’s been solid in every role Wenger has thrown him into and he no longer looks like a scared sheep during big games. Even better, the boss has felt confident enough to slot him at defensive midfielder and his fabulous finish against Burnley in the FA Cup proves that he may just make it at the club after all.
However, with Bellerin, Monreal, and Gibbs, at the very least, deputizing the wing back roles; Koscielny, Mertesacker, and Gabriel in the middle, and Coquelin and Elneny up pitch, a year-loan for Chambers may be a fantastic move for all parties.
Hector Bellerin, Keep:
Someday, this guy may just be Arsenal captain material. So long as the Barcelona mercenaries don’t get to the Spanish prodigy, we should expect Bellerin to be with the club for a very, very long time. His rise to starter came through, as all unexpected things do, a brutally bad-luck streak for Mathieu Debuchy and he hasn’t given back the position since. In fact, Debuchy, in hopes of regaining his starting role for the French in time for Euros this summer, even went out on a last-second role after a frustrating season thus far.
His pace is a problem for many opposing backs and while his crossing is no where near the level of Monreal or Bacary Sagna’s, the former right-back of choice in North London, he’s exceeded expectations tenfold.. Once Bellerin harnesses that special potential, the question isn’t whether or not he’ll stay with Arsenal, but when will they build him a statue outside of the Emirates.
Gabriel, Keep:
While much of the cliches written about Arsenal are untrue, they could certainly use more bad boys. Gabriel, the Brazilian center-back that may or may not have wanted to kill Diego Costa in September, has brought a much-needed no-frills attitude to the club. While his English is still rough, you can tell that Gabriel has a strong understanding of the sport. Every hard-nosed tackle, fearsome stare, and vicious goal celebration is a breath of fresh air and I’m truly excited to see what he brings to this club for the next 5+ years.
Although you might point our his error against United and the red card (deserved or not) versus Chelsea in the fall as massive turning points in the campaign, his tenacity has saved many other goals without much fanfare and will continue to do so well into the future.
Laurent Koscielny
Laurent Koscielny, Keep:
Admittedly, the Frenchman has had a solid-but-less-spectacular 2015-2016 campaign, but the fearless leader has left the Arsenal faithful without worry in recent times. His knack for winning aerial duels, high-impact slide tackles, and all-important goals, Koscielny has become a household name in North London. While we’ve touched on his partnership with Mertesacker before, Koscielny’s patience and ruthlessness has made him one of the first names on the team sheet.
He’s certainly not getting any younger and certain moments, like this in the 0-2 defeat against West Ham, have left fans scratching their heads, those instances are few and far between. As long as Gabriel is still coming along, he’ll be one of the club’s most important contributors.
Long live Kos The Boss.
Isaac Hayden, Loan:
Hull City’s Steve Bruce recently mentioned that he’d like to keep Issac Hayden and Chuba Akpom around for keepsies, but Wenger should learn from his understandable Benik Afobe mistake. If Hayden is willing, another year on loan would be good for the youngster. It’s unlikely that Gabriel, Chambers, and Hayden are Arsenal’s center-back trio of the future, but there’s no harm in waiting to find out.
Carl Jenkinson, Keep:
Last but not least, we’ve got Carl Jenkinson, perhaps the most polarizing figure in recent Arsenal memory. Yes, more than Per Mertesacker and more than Olivier Giroud, Jenkinson’s standing in the Arsenal fandom is well-debated. Is he nothing more than the fleeting afterthought of nostalgic legacy and the everyman fan growing up to play for his favorite boyhood team? Or he is an English International worth holding onto with the potential to shore up the club’s backline for years to come?
Well, one thing’s for certain: he’s hurt as hell, so there’s no use making this decision any time soon. After sustaining a serious knee injury on loan at West Ham, his future in professional soccer is on hold. Early reports suggest that he might be ready in six months, just in time for the 2016 opener. With Debuchy on his way out this summer, giving Jenkinson a flier-season behind Bellerin as his shakes the rust off could be beneficial for all sides.
What’s your opinion? Who of the Goalkeepers and Defenders should Arsenal consider keeping or moving on
The next edition of Keep, Sell or Loan will be after the Swansea match
