Tag Archives: Carl Jenkinson

Where will Arsenal’s 9 contract rebels end up?

All the news in recent weeks has been about the future of contract revel Alexis Sanchez’s future at the club.

Whilst Sanchez has taken up all the column inches, Arsenal have another 8 senior players who’s deals are coming to an end in 2018.

Here is my opinion on where they will end up…

Mesut Ozil – The German wants to leave Arsenal. But the problem is that no one wants him.

No club in England fancy him.

A return to Spain is impossible. Real Madrid won’t have him back, Barcelona don’t need him, and he won’t suit Atletico’s style (and they have a transfer ban).

Bayern Munich don’t want him, no other German side can afford him. A move to Turkey will see his wages massively cut. That leaves Italy and France.

He might be waiting to see if PSG will make a move. Then you have the new cash rich AC Milan and Inter Milan.

Likelihood is he will realise he has no other option but to stay at Arsenal. Either sign a new contract, or leave on a free to Fenerbache after the season – with Fenerbache paying him a big lump sum to make up for lower wages.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – In a World Cup year, the Ox has realised that his career has stalled. He has not moved forward since the last World Cup – where he started every game – and he is now in danger of not even making the squad.

The Ox wants more game time, and not at right back. His future rests on Alexis Sanchez’a decision. He sees himself as the perfect replacement for Sanchez behind the striker. If he is guaranteed a chance to fight for that position, he will stay. If he has told “we see your future at right wing back” he will be gone.

Jack Wilshere – Missing pre-season again is a disaster for Arsenal as it means they can not shift the no-longer-youngster on.

With a year left on his deal, so Arsenal offer him a new 4 year contract and risk another Abou Diaby situation? Or do they let his contract run down and lose a player for nothing who cost nothing.

This is a situation that is in Arsenal’s hands.

Wojciech Szczesny – He wants to leave. Arsenal want to sell him. But until a decision is made on the future of Petr Cech, David Ospina and a new 2nd choice keeper, he might be another who ends up staying.

Would be Arsenal’s second choice for a year, before likely joining Juventus on a free transfer to replace Buffon.

Kieran Gibbs – Basically can pick who he wants to join. Offers will come in for him from the likes of Newcastle, Watford, West Ham and more. A simple case of seeing what they offer him, and deciding where he wants to go.

Per Mertesacker & Santi Cazorla – Both just signed new one year extensions. Will probably be their last at the club.

Carl Jenkinson – Like Kieran Gibbs, Arsenal are looking to move him on. But the lack of Premier League interest will be a a worry for him.

He might look to push a loan deal to a Premier League side to prove himself as a Premier League player before leaving on a free next year.

Might end up with a lifeline at Arsenal if Debuchy, Bellerin & Ox leave.

Joel Campbell – “Get out whilst you can Joel”. Arsenal might wish they had of got him out after the last World Cup when they could.

Likely to be sold to a La Liga or Portuguese side, but not for very much.

Keenos

Arsenal facing FA Cup Final defensive crisis

Laurent Koscileny – OUT – Suspended after his red card against Everton on the last day of the season. A pointless challenge in a pointless game that could have cost us the cup. Idiot.

Gabriel – OUT – Was carried off against Everton on a stretcher. Has done his knee ligaments. Will be out for at least 8 weeks.

Calum Chambers – OUT – Cup tied having played for Middlesbrough in 2 FA Cup ties. Had he not played in those games, he would have been free to play, with his loan being over.

Shkodran Mustafi – HIGHLY DOUBTFUL – Missed the Everton game with concussion, we are at the liberty of the doctors and he will not play until he has fully recovered. Unbelievable there are idiots out there who think Mustafi should play through his illness. Player safety is more important than a trophy.

Kieran Gibbs – DOUBTFUL – Has a slight thigh strain. Yet to train this week, but Arsenal might need to risk his fitness.

Mathieu Debuchy – OUT – Been AWOL since he picked up a hamstring injury way back in November against Bournemouth.

Carl Jenkinson – OUT – Most recently spotted playing polo on Shergar with Lord Lucan and Elvis Presley.

So what does that leave Arsenal with? Not very much.

Best case scenario, Mustafi and Gibbs return, we stick with 3 at the back:

Holding Mustafi Monreal

Bellerin                                                 Gibbs

Worst case scenario, Mustafi and Gibbs are out, we return to 4 at the back:

Bellerin Holding Mertesacker Gibbs

Likely scenario, Mustafi OUT, Gibbs Plays, we stick with 3 at the back:

Holding Mertesacker Monreal

Bellerin                                                 Gibbs

Less likely scenario, Mustafy plays, Gibbs OUT, we stick to 3 at the back

Mustafi Mertesacker Holding

Bellerin                                                 Monreal

No matter the scenario, Laurent Koscileny, as a senior player, has let the club down badly.

Keenos

 

 

Arsenal set to SELL up to 11 senior players (and none are Ozil or Sanchez)

In recent weeks, the big transfer news at Arsenal has been about the contract situations of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.

It has been well written by many that both have 18 months left on their contract and are currently stalling on negotiations. Some say they are waiting on Arsene Wenger to declare his future, or for it to be announced who his replacement might be, others say they are driven by money, with rumours of a $400,000 offer on the table from China – I always laugh that the offer is ‘from China’ without mentioning a particular club.

Some say that want to ensure they are playing for a competitive club, and will wait to see if we do challenge (and win) the title, whilst Ian Wright thinks they will both sign, but will do in the summer where they will be worth even more if they take Arsenal to the title.

The future of both is concerning for all Arsenal fans, but there are another 11 senior players who’s future at the club might not be bright. And entire starting XI could leave Arsenal this summer.

David Ospina has been linked away from Arsenal ever since Petr Cech joined. Currently the clubs Champions League keeper, he is also likely to play in the FA Cup in the New Year. The Colombian will be 29 next season, entering the peak for a goal keeper. Would he really want to spend his best years sitting on Arsenal’s bench?

The writing is also on the wall for Carl Jenkinson. The boyhood Arsenal fan looks like a deer in headlights every time he puts on an Arsenal shirt. He is good enough to be 2nd choice right back behind Hector Bellerin, but in his own head, Arsenal are too big for him. His demise from one of West Ham’s best players a few years ago has been incredible.

When Frenchman Mathieu Debuchy started against Bournemouth, some were surprised he was still at the club. His contract does not expire until 2019, but with injuries now piling up, and reports of a poor attitude at times, if he is not sold next summer, he will surely be sent out on loan.

Per Mertesacker. The big German. The captain. His contract runs out at the end of the year and there has been no talk about him getting a new one. With the form of Shkodran Mustafi and Laurent Koscielny, and the development of Rob Holding, Arsenal no longer require his services. He will be able to get himself a nice big contract back in Germany.

After a season of poor form, Arsenal will surely sign a stronger left back than either Nacho Monreal or Kieran Gibbs. With Gibbs being younger and English, and Monreal’s future potentially tied to that of best mate Santi Cazorla (more later), it is the Spaniard who will make way.

Another on borrowed time is Calum Chambers. After a brilliant start to his Arsenal career where he looked like an assured, ball playing centre back, he has gone backwards. Part of this is due to him being played in multiple positions – a bit like Phil Jones at Man U – and part of it due to not getting enough game time. He has made 10 appearances for Middlesborough this season but has been outshone by fellow youngster Ben Gibson. With Rob Holding also at the club, Arsenal will struggle to give to young centre backs enough time to develop. He might be saved by the fact Debuchy & Jenkinson are likely to go, meaning Arsenal need a back up right back.

Santi Cazorla has already played his last game for Arsenal Football Club in my opinion. Now 32, with 18 months of poor injuries behind (and head) of him, his contract runs out at the end of this season. I can not see Arsenal offering him any more than a new 1 year deal. Something that Cazorla will surely not accept. He has spoken previously about finishing his career at Spain, and that time has come. And he will take Nacho Monreal with him.

Another who’s Arsenal career is almost certainly over his Jack Wilshere. Playing once a week for Bournemouth does not mean he is good enough to play twice a week for Arsenal. He clearly enjoys the sea air, a lower intensity of life, and time away from his trouble making friends. Bournemouth are able to manage his work load in a way that a big club like Arsenal are unable to facilitate. Arsenal need fit players playing twice a week. Wilshere does not fit the bill.

Joel Campbell is out on loan at Sporting. With the development of Alex Iwobi, nothing will change for Campbell next year. He will still be surplus to requirements, and will either be loaned once more, or sold.

Homegrown striker Chuba Akpom is at a cross roads in his career. He has not progressed from talented youngster to senior superstar. 4 average loan deals, and Alexis Sanchez, Olivier Giroud, Danny Welbeck and Lucas Perez ahead of him, there will be no chance for him to break through in the future.

Lastly we come to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Whilst everyone is going on about Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez’s contract coming to an end in 2018, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s also does. Another player at a cross roads in his career, he has never really secured a place in Arsenal’s starting XI. He is getting a run now, a chance to prove himself, but if he fails to impose himself on games consistently, he might have to look elsewhere next summer, take a step down to get regular football.

 

Arsenal could end up off loading an entire XI. I wonder how this lot would get on in the Premier League:

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Keenos