Arsenal Questions: Should Tomas Rosicky Take Penalties for the Gunners, and More

Arsenal have dropped points against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, just like last year, and it could prove to be very important in the context of the title race. They could have gone on top if they had taken all three points in this tricky away fixture, but they remain in second place and a point behind Chelsea, who also have a game in hand.

The Gunners were disappointing in yesterday’s game, creating few clear cut opportunities and lacking the killer instinct to put the game to bed. Tomas Rosicky’s missed penalty added to the woes of the ten men Arsenal side, who just could not hold on to the lead. If anything, it highlighted some important areas in the Arsenal team that does need some discussions.

Should Denilson and Kieran Gibbs Be Given Important Roles in This Season?

Denilson came on for Andrei Arshavin in the second half, following the dismissal of Alex Song. Arsenal, certainly, looked the better team after he came on, and it was certainly no coincidence. Denilson intercepted a number of passes and the Gunners’ passing rhythm improved after he came on.

He does not complicate things, and though he is not a tough tackler like Alex Song, he reads the game as good as anyone, and has shown he has the ability to develop into a very good player.

Last year, Denilson struggled with a lot of fitness issues, but it looks like he has bulked up a little, and looks to be improving. He did not have a great year last season, but he has shown the quality to play for Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger should use him more in this season, and Arsenal would have benefited if he had started in place of Jack Wilshere, because this was always going to be a tough, physical fixture and Wilshere would have also been fatigued by the midweek fixture.

Another player who had the previous season blighted by injuries is the impressive Kieran Gibbs. With Gael Clichy having a poor day at the office, should Gibbs start ahead of him?  The England International had a solid game against Bolton, and deserves his fair share of matches this season. Clichy has not been at his best for a while now, and Gibbs certainly deserves a look-in.

In the Absence of Cesc Fabregas, Who Should Take Penalties for Arsenal?

The one thing which most Gunners’ supporters will agree on is that stand-in captain Rosicky should never have taken the penalty, which would have given them a near unassailable 2-0 lead and this prompts us to discuss on who should take penalties in the absence of Fabregas.

Robin van Persie is a very good player, but he gets injured far too often for anyone's liking. If Van Persie is on the pitch, he is the automatic choice for taking a penalty in the absence of Fabregas.

Andrei Arshavin is a good penalty taker, and should be the second choice in the absence of Fabregas, and he did a good job against Blackpool. Unfortunately, he was substituted before the penalty was awarded, which only left Samir Nasri, Marouane Chamakh, and Tomas Rosicky as the options for Arsenal.

In the game against FC Porto last year, Wenger clearly mentioned that Arshavin was his first choice penalty taker, followed by Nasri. Since both were substituted, Nicklas Bendtner took the penalty.

He mentioned nothing of Rosicky, which is why it is baffling that he did take it. Following Wenger, Nasri should be the third choice penalty taker, because he looks to be a very composed player, and Chamakh, who is vastly experienced, should be the fourth choice penalty taker.

Who Should Play in Fabregas’ Position, in His Absence?

Fabregas was substituted after only 20 minutes due to a hamstring injury, and it is not exactly known when he will return to full fitness. So, in his absence, who should take up his role? Yesterday, Nasri and Rosicky were interchanging positions on the right wing and centre, but it did seem like Nasri was comfortable when he played in the centre and can continue playing there on a regular basis.  

Nasri did a decent job in the latter stages of the season when Fabregas broke his leg in the game against Barcelona. Rosicky is also a very good player in that position, and though he didn’t have a good game yesterday, he has had a decent start to the season. His performance against Blackpool and his cameo against Liverpool suggests he wouldn’t be a bad option either.

Wilshere can also play in an advanced role, but he lacks the physicality and can be muscled off the ball on a number of occasions. In the future though, Aaron Ramsey, if he returns to his best fitness, is a strong contender to replace Fabregas because Ramsey has the strength, talent, and vision to be a huge success for the Gunners.

Should Andrei Arshavin Be Benched for a Few Games?

Arshavin has had a below average start to the season, and has not looked effective this season. He has been lacklustre, and the creativity and vision has been missing in the recent few games. He is a player who has great quality, but if he has any more games like the one against Sunderland, it is time for Wenger to take a brave decision in dropping him from the starting eleven. 

Arshavin is more at home on the right wing than the other side, and should Wenger decide to start him again, he could play Arshavin on the right flank. Wenger might also opt for a new formation in the absence of Fabregas, and might go with two strikers so that Arshavin can play in a role just behind the striker, or as a second striker.

But it is time Carlos Vela started a game for Arsenal, given his impressive exploits coming on as a late substitute for Arsenal. He has already scored three goals, playing under an hour for Arsenal. His goal against Bolton was a very good finish, and his performance against Sporting Braga was even better, where he bagged a brace. It is time that the talented Mexican gets a look-in this season. 

Should Wenger Rest Marouane Chamakh for the Next Game?

In my opinion, Marouane Chamakh should be rested for the next two games, against Tottenham in the Carling Cup tie and West Bromwich, because I think we will need him for the away fixture against Partizan and certainly against Chelsea.

He is essential for the team, and should be well rested because even though he is a very fit individual, Wenger should consider the grueling schedule ahead of Arsenal. Also, he still needs time to adjust to the demanding physicality of the league.

Carlos Vela excelled in the two substitute performances and should be given a role upfront in the next two games at least. The youngster was injured for most part of the last season, but is now fit and raring to go. He has a chance to break into the first team in the absence of Nicklas Bendtner and Robin van Persie.

Jay Emmanuel Thomas is another option for the gaffer. He is a talented youngster who adds height and physicality to this Arsenal side. At 19 it is just the right time to blood him into the lineup with the departure of Eduardo this season.

How Good is the Defence in This Season, Considering That This Was Arsenal’s Weakest Area in the Last Season?

This year’s defence looks completely different from last year’s with the arrivals of Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci and the departures of Sol Campbell, Mikael Silvestre, and William Gallas. Thomas Vermaelen, who was impressive last year, will be the leader of the defence and is one of the most important players for Arsenal this year.

In his absence, Koscielny and Squillaci have done well. In yesterday’s game, they both were very solid, especially Koscielny winning numerous aerial battles and clearing so many dangerous balls. Squillaci looks to be a real bargain signing and his experience is invaluable to the team. Both of them look like they will fit in very well with the team and can be important this year. Djouou has also returned to fitness and will fill in when necessary.

Manuel Almunia has looked solid so far, and he should get the backing of all the supporters. Almunia had a very good game, and he has a better defence in front of him, which should give him some confidence. It is time Wenger promotes Wojciech Szczesny or Vito Mannone to the No. 2 spot, because in my view, Lukasz Fabianski is a disaster waiting to happen.

Realistically Speaking, What Are Arsenal's Chances of Winning the Premier League This Year?

Arsenal got off to a consistent start, but have been pegged back by dropping two vital points against Sunderland. By no means should they be written off at this early stage of the season, but Arsenal will have to improve and win these tricky fixtures if they are to harbour any title ambitions.

Their long injury list is a huge worry for the manager, and it does seem that Lady Luck has not bothered to turn up for Arsenal’s injury woes just yet, with Fabregas the latest victim to the injury bug. But should she decide to show up this season, Arsenal will have a say in how this year’s title race pans out.

Arsenal might actually stand a better chance in the Champions League this season, because of the fact that they are good going forward, and teams do not park the bus (at least not very often) in the knock out stages of the Champions League.

Of course, they will require their best players (Fabregas, Van Persie, Vermaelen, and Song) to be fit for the important matches. But this season, Arsenal have a good chance to go long (Semifinals and further) in the Champions League in my opinion.

As far as the EPL is concerned, though there are reasons for optimism, I still see Manchester United and Chelsea being more consistent than the Gunners and being ahead of them in the end. After seeing Everton bounce back from early disappointments and their injury crisis in the last season, oppositions will write off Arsenal at their own peril.

If the Gunners can learn from their mistakes, they are still in with a decent possibility.    

I would appreciate your comments about these questions and present your analysis on these questions regarding the Gunners, who strive to end their title drought.