Arsenal: From Fabregas To Van Persie, Who Is The Gunners' Most Valuable Player?

Arsenal have been hit hard by the injury bug, just three games into the season, ahead of the games against Bolton Wanderers at the Emirates. The injury crisis has already instilled doubts in the supporter's minds whether they can cope with injuries to key men in this season.

Arsenal have been plain unfortunate with injuries, but they do have the depth in their armoury to replace them effectively. Talisman Robin van Persie and England International Theo Walcott have both joined the list of injured players which includes the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Nicklas Bendtner, Emmanuel Frimpong and Samir Nasri, who will return shortly.

Arsenal's core of important players will be pivotal to attaining success in this season. There are a lot of important players in this team, but some are more valuable than others and find a spot ahead. I would like to give my opinion on who are Arsenal's most valuable players for this season.

Samir Nasri is, undeniably, one of the most talented young players in Arsenal's ranks. The young Frenchman has shown a lot of promise in the previous seasons, but has not realised his full potential. He was dropped from the National team for the World cup, and that has spurred him to work harder and improve on his ability.

He was easily Arsenal's most impressive player in pre-season and it is a shame that he had to be injured in the opener against Liverpool at Anfield. But his recovery from surgery is faster than expected and he is scheduled to undergo a full training session in the near future, which is a massive boost to the Gunners.

Nasri can prove to be one of the most important players of this season, if he can set alight the Premier League with his creativity and vision. He offers more options to the manager Arsene Wenger, because he is comfortable playing in central midfield or on the wings. With a full two seasons under his belt, he should prosper under the tutelage of his comaptriot Wenger.

Replacements

If Samir Nasri is injured, then his most likely replacement would be Tomas Rosicky, who is experienced and talented and can more than fill Nasri's boots. Depending upon how the Gaffer decides to use him, his replacements are:

Winger: Emmanuel Eboue, Theo Walcott, Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere

Central Midfield: Denilson, Abou Diaby, Tomas Rosicky, Jack Wilshere 

Arsenal acquired the services of the Moroccan International Marouane Chamakh  on a free transfer from Bordeaux. Arsene Wenger is a long time admirer of the striker and has finally brought him to the Emirates. Chamakh is a vastly experienced player, who has scored important goals in the French League as well as in the Champions League.

Chamakh is not a prolific goal scorer as a fit Robin van Persie might be, but he is a team player and works very hard for the team's cause. He is a strong lad, who can hold up the ball and also possesses an excellent aerial ability. He will add something different to this Arsenal squad and can prove to be the last ingredient in their quest for a trophy.

With the fitness of Nicklas Bendtner and Robin van Persie in question, it is up to Chamakh to raise the bar and perform well, even under adverse circumstances. He will take time adjusting to the rigours of the Premiership, but he is a player, who will add something positive to the outlook of the team.

Replacements

Chamakh has managed to stay relatively injury free throughout his career. Arsenal will hope that the injury jinx does not hit the recently acquired striker. In case it does, his direct replacement would be Nicklas Bendtner and Robin Van Persie, but Van Persie, if fit, will be given the nod ahead of Chamakh, if the coach decides to operate with a single striker system. His replacements are likely to be:

Striker: Nicklas Bendtner, Robin van Persie  

Optional Replacements: Carlos Vela, Theo Walcott, Andrei Arshavin

Theo Walcott has long been touted as England's future and he has always been burdened by the expectations and criticism, which has been unfairly thrust on his young shoulders. He is one of the fastest wingers in the world today and even though he hasn't realised his full potential yet, there are concrete signs of his developed at the North London club.

Walcott endured a painful previous season, in which he was affected by a series of injuries and niggles and lost his first team spot to other talented individuals. His pain would have been compounded by his shock exclusion from the world cup squad. However, it seems that a summer of rest has done him a world of good. He was in splendid form in this season, scoring 4 goals from only 3 matches, and now, he has to spend a minimum of one month with the medical team, having been injured in an International against Switzerland.

Its good for Walcott that the injury is not too bad, and he should be back within a period of 6 weeks. It will take time for him to capture the early season form, but with his blistering pace and immense potential, he can produce some magical performances in this season.

Replacements

Walcott was not a first team regular throughout last season and just as he was establishing his place in the team, his progress has cruelly been halted by an ankle injury. Emmanuel Eboue, the strong Ivorian is in line to replace Walcott. However, Wenger has a lot of options in that role and might go for any of them.

Winger: Emmanuel Eboue, Tomas Rosicky, Samir Nasri, Jack Wilshere

Robin van Persie is Arsenal's first choice striker, who has a lethal left foot and is a great finisher. However, his well documented injury problems have never really allowed him to blossom into the world class striker that his talent is capable of achieving. He has the Arsenal symbol close to his heart and has remained a loyal Gooner for the last seven years.

Van Persie was blowing hot last year, until he was inflicted with a painful injury by Giorgio Chiellini during a friendly between Netherlands and Italy. However, he recovered towards the latter stages of the previous season, but could not help Arsenal mount a successful tilt at the title. This year, he arrived late due to the world cup and had only just started his first match against Blackburn, when he was injured again by a fairly innocuous looking tackle.

He is a fragile player, but he has the potential to create goals out of nothing and be the difference in tough games. If he can play in many games this season, he can be a major factor in deciding Arsenal's challenge for the title. A player of his calibre and talent can be a real asset to any side and Arsenal will hope that he can remain fit for at least a decent portion of the season.

Replacements:

Robin Van Persie is very injury prone and the onus of taking up the role of the centre forward might fall onto the shoulders of new boy Marouane Chamakh. With Bendtner also having fitness troubles, it is imperative Chamakh stays fit for the best part of the season.

Striker: Marouane Chamakh, Nicklas Bendtner

Optional: Andrei Arshavin, Theo Walcott, Carlos Vela

Andrei Arshavin was signed for an Arsenal record transfer fee by Le Prof, who is generally frugal in his transfer dealings. Wenger saw the talent and ability of the dimunitive Russian and believed he could make a huge difference to his side. Arshavin mesmerised fans with his four goals against Liverpool in his debut season, but he has produced very few such game changing performances, which a player of his talent should produce on a consistent basis.

Arshavin, on song, is surely one of the most devastating wingers. He causes headaches for defenders with his pace, vision and creativity. But when he is not in the mood, he remain in anonymity for almost the entire period of the match. Nevertheless, he has been relatively injury free, but with him reaching thirty within a short time, he might find it difficult to cope up with the pace of the Premiership.

For this season though, he should be fine with the pace of the league. He wants to be remembered as a "little magician", and he must word hard in an Arsenal shirt if he has to achieve his aim. Arshavin can really inspire the Gunners to success, but he must believe in his comrades and show the fighting spirit needed to break this frustrating title drought.

Replacements:

Wingers is one position in which Arsenal have decent depth. Arshavin can play both on the right and on the left side. He has been on the left this season and should he get injured, Samir Nasri can occupy the left wing. Also, Carlos Vela and Kieran Gibbs, the left back, are two youngsters, who are capable of playing on that side.

Winger: Samir Nasri, Carlos Vela, Kieran Gibbs

Last summer's signing from Ajax, Thomas Vermaelen, turned people's heads with his marvellous performances for the Gunners in the previous season. This season, he will be the commander-in-chief of the defence, following the exits of William Gallas, Mikael Silvestre and Sol Campbell. Vermaelen has impressive technique and is the perfect no nonsense defender that Arsenal require at the heart of defence.

A suspect defence was one of the main reasons that Arsenal were unsuccessful last year. This year, a lot hinges on Vermaelen's ability to stay fit throughout the season. He is a physically fit player and played in most of the matches for Arsenal, last season till he got injured in the game against Tottenham. He will have new partners for this season and it is up to him to establish a good partnership with them. 

Vermaelen is a future captain for Arsenal and he looks fully committed and focussed on the pitch. He had his flaws in the last season but has vowed to rectify them and keep as many clean sheets as possible. He is the foundation on which this new look defence has to be built. Having Vermaelen at the back is inspirational to the team and he can lead the team back to its glory years.

Replacements:

Thomas Vermaelen is certainly one of the most important players for this Arsenal team and should he be injured, it will be jittery for Arsenal who would have to field a completely new pairing. Djourou has played in the Premier League, but he has had prolonged injury troubles and might struggle with niggles this season. Laurent Koscielny seems to be a decent prospect but needs time to adjust to the Premiership. Sebastien Squillaci is an experienced defender, who will compete with Koscielny for a starting spot alongside Thomas Vermaelen.

Centre Back: Laurent Koscielny, Johan Djourou, Sebastien Squillaci

Captain Cesc Fabregas signifies the success of Wenger's youth policy and is rightly the talisman of Arsenal. He was brought into the club at the tender age of 16 and has grown into one of the world's best midfielders at the young age of 23. His vision, creativity and importantly, leadership is one of the significant aspects that could determine Arsenal's season. Even though, his head was turned by the thought of returning to Barcelona, he is a winner and wants a trophy, leading his young troops to the battlefield.

Fabregas was the leader for Arsenal in terms of goals and assists and was also the inspiration for the team. However, his hamstring troubles and later, his leg break derailed Arsenal's title challenge, which ultimately ended in failure. His failure to achieve success with Arsenal has left him frustrated, but that might just spur him on to achieve great things. His fitness will be important for Arsenal to have a consistent set of results.

Fabregas returned late from the World Championship, with a gold medal hanging from his neck. So, he has been a little short of match fitness and behind the pace in the opening fixtures of the season. However, it will not be long before he returns to his sparkling best and terrorises opposition defences. In the absence of Robin van Persie, the responsibility falls on the Spaniard, whose goals from the midfield can prove to be very important. Whether or not this is Fabregas' last season with Arsenal, he will sure love to lift a trophy captaining this side.

Replacements:

Anyone who steps in for Cesc Fabregas will have huge boots to fill. Fabregas does not only show creativity that is world class, his very presence on the field is inspirational and that is pretty much irreplaceable. In case of an injury to Fabregas, it might be Samir Nasri or Tomas Rosicky, who will probably play in his position. Though they both are really good, it will be difficult to produce what Fabregas brings to this side.

Central Attacking Midfielder: Tomas Rosicky, Samir Nasri, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Abou Diaby

Many of you will be surprised why I have named Alex Song as Arsenal's most valuable player in this season, when you have the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie in the squad. Alex Song had a breakthrough season last year, when he established himself as an automatic starter in the 4-3-3 formation.

He is not among the glamorous big names who are there in the highly talented Arsenal squad, but he is surely the unsung star of the team. He has improved a great deal in the last year and has surely cemented his place in the team. He was the one shielding a suspect defence last year and performed admirably under the circumstances. He did make some costly errors, but the effort and work that he put in, nullified the threat of opposition attacks and counter-attacks a number of times.

When he fell victim to the injury bug in the closing stages of the season, Arsenal's frailties at the back were cruelly exposed by weaker team. He is not a big man like Patrick Viera, but he is a man with a big heart and is ready to step in and interrupt the rhythm of opposition teams. He is the sort of no nonsense defensive midfielder that Arsenal and their fans have craved for ever since the exit of Patrick Viera.

He had the highest number of yellow cards (10), while the next highest was Fabregas at 5 yellow cards. The number of yellow cards does not necessarily mean anything, but in this case, it shows that he is one to put his heart and soul into the game, and someone who will not flinch from putting in a tough tackle.

He started numerous Arsenal attacks from the back and has been the reason why Fabregas has operated in a very advanced role. His passing has been awry at times, but he is improving and developing his game and should only get better this season. Also, his ability to play at Centre Back has also provided relief to Wenger on more than a couple of occasions when his defenders have got injured. There is no proper replacement for him, and it is imperative he stays fit for most of the season.

Replacements:

There is no proper replacement for him in this Arsenal squad. Youngster Emmanuel Frimpong is a sort of hard tackling midfielder, who could have been back-up for Alex Song but he has been ruled out for 7-9 months with a ligament injury, cruelly halting his development. Denilson and Diaby can both play in the role of a defensive midfielder and have filled for him in a lot of games. However, both of them do not provide the stability that Song provides to Arsenal. Craig Eastmond and Havard Nordtveit are interesting young prospects and could be blooded into the role. Jack Wilshere has also been used as a deep-lying midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 in the opening games of this season.

Central Defensive Midfielder: Denilson, Abou Diaby, Craig Eastmond, Jack Wilshere, Havard Nordtveit