A season that started with so much promise, ended like so many before for Arsene Wenger last season. The Gunners have made an equally strong start in this campaign and they’re on course for what should be another title challenge.
Wenger addressed some of the fundamental issues in his side over the summer and added some big names, but what of those who were already there? Here we look at five Arsenal players who must impress the Frenchman if they wish to continue at the Emirates.
Per Mertesacker
Form last season: Mertesacker made almost 40 appearances last season and took the captain’s armband in Mikel Arteta’s absence. He looked slow and his lack of pace was often exposed as Arsenal faltered to second place.
Form this season: Suffered a knee injury against Lens in pre-season and is unavailable until December.
Will he stay or will he go? He should really go, considering the Arsenal defence has looked good so far this season. Age is also catching up with him.
Where could he go? Now aged 32, Arsenal looks likely to be his last top club. No big side would take the risk of playing a defender with no pace.
Gabriel Paulista
Form last season: Was solid in his first full season in English football, but not exceptional. Diego Costa outsmarted him when Arsenal played Chelsea.
Form this season: Suffered an injury in pre-season and is still yet to play this season. He’s arguably a backup, behind Laurent Koscielny and Shkodran Mustafi.
Will he stay or will he go? Arsenal can’t afford to get rid of defenders, so Gabriel will be staying.
Where could he go? He’s a good player, but not suited to the Premier League. There will be sides in Spain and Portugal who’ll be interested in him if he’s on the market.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Form last season: He scored the only goal against Chelsea in the Community Shield, but suffered a serious knee injury against Barcelona in February which ended his season.
Form this season: Has made six appearances in all competitions so far, scoring two goals.
Will he stay or will he go? Oxlade-Chamberlain desperately needs first team football if he’s ever to fulfil his potential. He should leave.
Where could he go? He’s good enough to play for any side and Chelsea have been linked with him in the past, but a drop down the table to play regular football should be his aim.
Yaya Sanogo
Form last season: Sanogo spent the first half of last season on loan with Ajax, making four appearances before returning to Arsenal at the start of 2016. He was then loaned out to Charlton and scored a hat trick on debut, but was unable to save them from relegation.
Form this season: Hasn’t appeared yet this season.
Will he stay or will he go? Now aged 22, he’s down the list of strikers at the Emirates and his future lies away from Arsenal.
Where could he go? He could go anywhere, but either a step down to the Championship or back to France seems the most likely.
Olivier Giroud
Form last season: Scored 24 goals in all competitions last season, but 15 of those were before Christmas.
Form this season: Has made just substitute appearances so far, with the exception of the game against PSG, in which he was sent off. It says a lot that an unrecognised centre forward is starting instead of him.
Will he stay or will he go? He’ll stay as he’s a different option upfront, but he lacks a clinical edge that a title winning side demands.
Where could he go? Many sides would be interested in him, but he’d struggle to break into the starting 11 at a top club. He’s doesn’t score enough goals to win a title for a team.
