#4 Jack Wilshere
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Jack Wilshere presents a complex problem. After two seasons in which he barely managed to record five games due to long-term injury setbacks, he was sent to Bournemouth to rebuild his confidence.
He seemed to be doing just that, making 27 appearances for the seaside club, until his familiar enemy struck again - another long-term injury. It’s been nine frustrating years for Wilshere since he broke into the first team – out of those, he’s managed to complete only four relatively uninterrupted seasons.
It seems this summer will be another crossroad for club and player. Should Wilshere be sold, Wenger would need to look to the transfer market for a replacement.
#3 Lucas Perez
Perez has got something to be upset about. In the 22 games Wenger gave him this season, mainly as a substitute, he rarely failed to produce the goods and even scored a hat-trick against Basel in the Champions League group stages. But that changed nothing as he found himself getting familiarised with the bench as the season progressed.
If at the start Perez gave us the impression that he is a potential 20+ goal scorer, now it’s all too obvious he was simply a part of some convoluted business deal that had nothing to do with football. He’s not been given the game time he deserves and is highly likely to see him leave this summer, while his coal is still hot.
#2 Alexis Sanchez
There are no two ways about it; Alexis Sanchez deserves more than his current £140,000 a week. He is clearly Arsenal’s best player. He now has 71 goals in 155 games over three seasons and is clearly en route to making a mark in the club’s history should he choose it. Losing him will raise questions over the club’s ambitions.
Also read: An open letter to Alexis Sanchez from an Arsenal fan
Unfortunately, it’s not only about money with him. He wants to win trophies too and that puts the club in a tough spot because they have to spend more to strengthen the squad.
If it is true that they offered Sanchez £300,000 a week, then at least they can’t be blamed for not trying to hold onto to him. There is a minefield of summer negotiations coming up, and it looks like Arsenal will be at a huge disadvantage due to their lack of Champions League football next season. It will eventually be down to the player’s wishes.
#1 Mesut Ozil
Ozil gives a slightly milder headache to Arsenal than his Chilean team-mate. He is after a similar weekly remuneration, which based on his form this season seems like an extortion. But this is slightly deceiving.
What Ozil can brag about is having accumulated 43 assists in the Premier League in three years, and this is by no means unimpressive bearing in mind that Dennis Bergkamp managed 49 in his time.
From the club’s point of view, he is a player to build on, but should it come to choosing between Sanchez and Ozil, the German is sure to lose. Whoever goes, a scoop in the transfer market for the right replacement is going to be required.
