Thoughts on Arsenal's apparent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain lookalike

Theo Walcott has been thoroughly missed after beautifully waving at Spurs’ fans.

With Theo Walcott out after banjaxing his knee and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain struggling with a niggling groin injury, Arsenal have failed to make the most of each counter after Mikel Arteta inevitably brings someone down just outside our penalty area. Mind you, I’m not saying Arteta is bad but sometime, as brilliant as his tackles are, they do play it in for the opposition players to make the most of it. I know you’ll are all thinking ‘what do you know? You’re sitting thousands of miles away writing an article when you don’t have any football experience!’ and to that, I nod my head in agreement because I truly don’t.

But what I do know is that Arsenal have a weakened right flank with those injuries and that has heaped more pressure on the centre and left. Apparently, people are badgering Olivier Giroud because he hasn’t been playing well, anyone read that yet? I just did. Just!

Getting to the point, the pressure is all on Lukas Podolski and the left-back to contribute to Arsenal’s attack. The German has done inexplicably well since starting games off late and with four goals in two games, he looks like our sure bet in the opposition penalty box; couple that with the resurgence and return of our Welsh Wizard, Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal could yet again qualify for the Champions League and possibly win a trophy for the first time in -insert number- years.

The only reason we’re struggling to hold on to fourth is because we’ve missed key players at the most key-est of times and that has had negative repercussions. I’m not one of those conspiracy theorists who believe Arsenal’s medical team is like budget day care but whatever it is, Arsenal’s said players have failed to play a full season.

People will inevitably name the likes of Jack Wilshere, Abou Diaby (HE’S BACK!), Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott and Yaya Sanogo but to me, one player who could yet have eased this present pressure on Arsenal isn’t on that list. He’s bald, he’s quick, strong and he’s one of our best players. No, I’m not talking about Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Damn it, Andre Marriner.

One of our best: Kieran Gibbs.

I am talking about our best full-back of this season, Kieran Gibbs. The Englishman has been absolutely lethal when in the opposition half, he has really good pace and strength and his link up play with Podolski is as good as it can get. Podolski isn’t the kind of player who tracks back and defends but Gibbs is like Ramsey-without-hair. He constantly runs around that left flank defending, attacking and nearly scoring on several occasions. He also has a good tackle on him.

Without Gibbs off late, we’ve depended on Thomas Vermaelen and Nacho Monreal. Vermaelen gave a fabulous performance when thrust into left-back two games ago and Nacho Monreal has his moments. The Spaniard is quick, yes but he looks feeble and sometimes, he tries too hard to hold tight which when faced with someone like Luis Suarez or Romelu Lukaku doesn’t offer the best sort of defence.

With a pass percentage of 79% and just one defensive error throughout this season Gibbs has been missed. Those stats may still seem decent but for a flanking player, his pass percentage doesn’t always have to be scintillating, he sets up a lot of attacks and it’s up to Podolski/Santi Cazorla to take it forward, which at times, they haven’t.

Gibbs has also created eleven chances this season and one could only thing that if he were fit for the whole season and if Podolski was as lethal as he is, we’d be much better than we’d been during the early-part of this season.

I think Arsenal should make sure they keep Gibbs for as long as possible. Nacho Monreal could stay, he’s decent back-up but the Englishman is the one who completes the Arsenal puzzle. Ashley Cole did it, Gaël Clichy did it, it’s now up to Gibbs.

Whoever does replace Sagna, I hope he’s as good as Gibbs

Thoughts on who could replace Bacary Sagna

Transfers aren’t my strong point but I’ve been watching a lot of games from across the world as to who could ably replace Bacary Sagna at Arsenal if he decides to leave, which is sad.

So far, I’ve seen three players who I think are really worth spending some money for. The top of the list is thanks to all newspapers talking about him and that’s Serge Aurier. Pace, strength and a good right foot, Aurier could very well replace Sagna.

I’ve also been tele-scouting Sébastien Corchia, one tipped to replace Sagna immediately. Corchia is a sturdy defender but when compared to Aurier, lacks the strength and many-a-times, sprays that final pass but with the right guidance, and who better than Arsene Wenger to guide, he could be just what we’re looking at.

The third is also a Frenchman and he is Mathieu Debuchy. He’s been the best player this season apart from Loic Remy for Newcastle and among all the three, will likely be the fastest to settle in to this Arsenal squad. He’s got good experience in the Premier League and he’s ‘proven’ as people call it.

Whoever replaces Sagna, he’ll have a tough time doing so but whoever it is, I do hope he’ll create a similar sort of environment like Gibbs, only on the right.