Arsenal...Wenger has nothing to worry about Prt 3 Midfield Movements

So far we have looked at transfer signings and strikers we shall now look at the midfield options Wenger has for the upcoming season. It is important to note that Flamini left the club and Hleb may also be leaving so I will be leaving these two players out the article despite their great contributions this season. Based on the facts the players that will play a role next season will be Fabregas, Walcott, Rosicky, Denilson, Diaby, Gilberto and Eboue. These players along with summer transfer signings and youth talent will provide the attacking and defensive line with precision passing and attack ending tackles. Two main players come to mind when I look at this list and these are Fabregas and Walcott. I shall now focus on each midfielder indvidually.

Cesc Fabregas: This young man is touted to become the world's best midfielder years before he celebrates his 25 Birthday. Fabregas has become Arsenal's most important player after the departure of Henry to Barcalona. His precision passes help cut pathways for the strikers. He also has a knack to score goals and has scored over ten during the start of the season. He has ended up with an impressive tally of 13 at the end of the season and has over 16 assists making him a true attacking playmaker. Fabregas not only provides good attacking but he also earned a reputation to be a tough cookie in defense. Opponents learned quickly not to mess around with him after soon finding out he is more than capable to dish out his share of bone crunching tackles despite his stature. The verdict is great for the future. Fabregas is set to extend his deal with the club and is forecasted to improve next season. I am fully confident that the young Spaniard will continue to produce impressive displays of skill next season.

Theo Walcott: I dont think there is an English player quite as exciting as the young 19 yr old Walcott. He is really a striker but Wenger has been developing his talent by forcing him to play on the wing. This season he began to see regular first team action coming off the bench as an attacking right midfielder. His performances had critics pondering why Wenger would not grant him more starting roles. His outstanding pace allowed him to brush defenders aside and push forward into the box. He also managed to score goals of such great quality that comparisons to Thierry Henry were inevitable. This season he managed to hit the net 7 times, scoring twice against Birmingham to open up his premiereship goal tally. His attacking run's during the CL against both AC Milan and Liverpool are some of the most brilliant displays of football this season has encountered. The young Englishman seems to grow everytime he touches the pitch and is gradually becoming a force to reckon with in Europe. The verdict: Walcott's development is amazing, I beleive he will continue to grow into the perfect attacking machine. He now needs to learn how to control his pace and improve on his passing and shot selections. I expect him to earn a starting position next season.

Tomas Rosicky: From the time I saw this players magnificent opening goal in the 06 World Cup I felt that Wenger bought a great player to London. Rosicky is a higly skilled player that provides Arsenal with attacking options on the wing or in center field. The only major flaw with him is he is easily injured and this forced him to limited contributions during the season. Despite this fact Rosicky managed to score 7 goals before being forced to reside on the sidelines due to season ending injuries. Verdict: Rosicky can be relied on to score goals when he is healthy, however I beleive that Wenger should consider signing a player that would provide us with a replacement whenever Tomas is injured.

Neves Denilson: This young Brazilian is one of the next generation of Arsenal players being groomed to become senior players. He plays an attacking role and comes of the bench to provide passing and attacking runs. His contribution in the domestic cup matches earned him two goals. Verdict: Denilson is still in early stages of development, but over time I believe he will be a truly skillful midfielder. His height and body allow him to stay on the ball despite

Vassiriki Diaby: This young Frenchman has all the qualities to become a major force in the Arsenal midfield. He is slim, tall and masterful on the ball. He uses his pace to push forward into the opponents box and sometimes takes a shot on goal. With Flamini's exit many are touting the youngman to be his successor as partner to Fabregas in the midfield. Diaby has a wicked outside shot that has left more than one goal keeping clutching the air this season. This season he has scored 7 goals in all competitions. Verdict: If Diaby is able to remain healthy he has the capabilities to make left central midfield his own spot. Diaby's weakness tends to be overplaying the ball, he needs to learn to pass the ball whenever defenders try to overpower him.

Gilberto Silva: Gilberto remains one of the few veteran players from the Arsenal's winning era. Last season he returned home tired from International duties and lost his starting role as defensive midfielder to Flamini. Flamini's impressive display lead to the Brazilian staying on the bench for the majority of the season. It has been a rough season for Gilberto who felt disowned at the club but remained loyal to the cause. As the season came to a close he was granted more and more appearances by Wenger. Gilberto despite such a lacklustre season has expressed his desire to stay with the club. Verdict: I believe with the departure of Flamini we should keep Gilberto, he provides the team with experience and I believe that he can gain his magnificent form back once more if Wenger gives him the opportunity to play.

Emmanuel Eboue: Many critics believe that Eboue should be dropped from the team. I do not share this view. Wenger decided this season that Eboue was capable of the right midfield role instead of right back. Eboue fit into his role well during the early part of the season. His partnership with Sagna on the wing proved to be almost unstoppable and contributed to Arsenal's many goals. He also contributed to the goal tally with 2 of his own. Eboue however began to become erratic as the season went on drawing attention from the officials that resulted in cards and sending offs. I believe that during this time the player had a lack of focus and dont believe he should be judged by these actions. He is still fairly new in the midfield role and it will take time for him to become accustomed to it. I believe his partnership with Sagna is the main reason he is able retain the starting role over Walcott. Verdict: I expect Eboue to start off the bench next season with Walcott becoming more of an attacking force. Eboue needs to improve in the mental aspect, his pace is perfect to provide passes and crosses from the right, however he needs to calm down and improve on his shot selections.