We’ve heard Arsene Wenger make a lot of noise recently about clearing out the deadwood within the club (that means you Denilson), but in the next year or so Wenger may have another situation where he has too many players. Looking at the current squad and including the half decent players on loan, Arsenal currently has up to 6 “wingers” pushing for a place in the first team.

Let’s have a look at each of them and decide, using our incredible collective wisdom, what we should do with them...

Theo Walcott

I believe he is the most frustrating player we have. One minute he can be a mix of pace, power and finishing, the next he can look like a marginally talented sprinter. He wants to play in a central role like that other guy who used to wear the No.14 jersey for us, and keeps reminding us that he is only 23 and will show his potential at some stage. I’d keep him on the basis that he is still relatively young and can terrify defenders who give him space. Verdict: Keep (with an eye on playing him centrally)

Gervinho

We bought the Ivorian at the beginning of the season, and if I’m honest he’s been a bit of a letdown, considering what we paid. Besides boasting a magnificent forehead and a haircut to rival Sagna’s, he has only shown bits and pieces of Arsenal quality, not to mention his finishing, which is appalling. He can work on this though – he has the talent. Despite this, the guy has bundles of pace, quick feet, and isn’t afraid to hit Joey Barton. Verdict: Keep (as a squad player)

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

If you include bonuses and benefits and stuff, this kid is what we broke our transfer record for. Is he worth it? Absolutely. At his tender age he already has more technical ability than Walcott, pace to burn and a directness that we sometimes lack in attack. Perhaps I’m a victim of all the hype surrounding him, but I truly believe that our Ox-in-the-Box will turn out to be an amazing player in years to come, provided we don’t overuse him like we did with Jack last season. Verdict: Keep (starting line-up, rotate with Theo)

Andrey Arshavin

Our little Russian has had a harder life at The Emirates than a coal miner in Siberia. Well, sort of. Firstly, he arrives and pops four goals into the back of the net, giving himself a virtually impossible reputation to uphold.

Then Wenger decides he isn’t a striker, or a Dennis Bergkamp, and bungs him out wide. The result of this could only go one way – disaster. Andrey became a bit rotund around the midriff, didn’t get much game time, didn’t show much work ethic on the pitch and as a result has been shipped off back to the Motherland on loan.

I’m afraid at his age that’s where Arshavin is likely to meet the end of his career, and will be remembered as “That fat, lazy guy who scored four goals against the Scousers once”. Verdict: Sell (or give away, just to clear the wage bill)

Ryo

If I was a Bolton player I’m not sure if I’d love or hate Ryo. On one hand, the kid is keeping your team in the Premier League with sublime footwork, pace and crosses that could even get Chamakh to score a few goals. On the other hand, he must serve as a constant reminder as to why you play for Bolton and not a proper football side.

The promise that he has shown is incredible for someone that was kicking around a football at lunch time in school a year or so ago. The only issue I have with Ryo is his age and his size. Both of those problems will be fixed with time, and it’s for that reason that I reckon he should have another season out on loan under the stewardship of Owen Coyle. Verdict: Keep (another season on loan)

Yossi Benayoun

I know our man from Chelsea isn’t actually a winger, but Wenger often seems to play him there over his rightful place in an advanced role in the centre of midfield. So there. I like Yossi, I must be honest.

He came in on loan as a stop gap because Wenger went on holiday until the last day of the transfer window (after the 8-2, *shudder*), and we haven’t seen as much of him as I’d like. He works hard and has scored a few goals, but sadly is surplus to our requirements at the moment, especially when Jack comes back. Verdict: Give back to Chelsea

So now it looks like we will only have three wingers remaining at the start of next season, but remember that Wenger loves playing central midfielders and our “other strikers” on the wing, so it’s easy to add Rosicky, Ramsey, Arteta, Chamakh and even Chu Park Young onto that list.

Let’s also not forget that we still have Bendtner, Vela and Afobe out on loan. Assuming that we get Podolski and keep Robin, he’s another player who will have to play in the “attacking three”. All of a sudden those Hazard rumours seem a bit ridiculous don’t they?

All in all we can see that Arsene is going to have a lot of work on his hands next season with all his wide men. This is good news for fatigue, not playing people out of position and healthy competition, but what will he do?

Follow me on Twitter @Young_Matt21

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