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5 Arsenal players who MUST improve in new season

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  1. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Oxlade-Chamberlain

Not the most disappointing Arsenal star from 2015/16 but certainly within our top five that’s for sure!

Now 22-years-old which is still young in football terms we accept, you just get the feeling that some of the patience is starting to run out regarding Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Having enjoyed an accelerated development at Southampton of course, there’s ultimately been an expectation of great things that has stayed with him throughout his career to date but ultimately, he’s far from being considered a regular starter at Arsenal.

In and out of the side while too inconsistent when he’s on the field to truly deserve a regular berth, the aim of the game in 2016/17 is simple for Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Try and oust fellow underperfoming star Theo Walcott from the starting eleven more regularly because we still believe he’s a winger first and foremost.

2. Kieran Gibbs

Gibbs

Kieran Gibbs is another player who simply must improve in order to win back his place in the England team but given Nacho Monreal’s consistency in the role, this will prove a tough ask.

Monreal has truly gone from zero to unsung hero status at Emirates Stadium and with Gibbs still favoured by many Gooners due to the fact he grew up at the club,  Monreal’s fantastic performances have meant Gibbs doesn’t look so great in comparison.

Only receiving few opportunities in 2015/16 on the whole, we feel Gibbs needs to get back to that form when he first broke through into Arsene Wenger’s first team where he was more of an attacking threat going forward.

Nowadays he seems to be a little more stifled in his play but overall, Gibbs’ form is less of a concern in Arsenal fans’ eyes compared to other players.

3. Theo Walcott

Walcott

Without doubt the most disappointing Arsenal player of 2016/17.

We could speak forever and a day about the Theo Walcott story and whether he’s truly progressed at the rate he should’ve done as an Arsenal player but we’re going to try and keep it simple.

And the simple fact of the matter is that Walcott just wasn’t up to it in 2015/16, to the extent that his performances oozed of desperation come the latter end of the campaign.

Even running into a referee at one point, all of Walcott’s confidence seemed to go last term and as a result, he didn’t receive a look in, in a poor England side selected by Roy Hodgson for Euro 2016.

The only way is up for a player who a lot of fans have made their minds up about now but given he’s been a loyal servant, the Walcott debate mainly stems from frustration over the fact he could be anything he wants to be barring injuries and inconsistency.

4. Aaron Ramsey

Ramsey

When many Arsenal supporters were watching Wales’ excellent performances at Euro 2016, some where claiming where has this Aaron Ramsey been all season?

While we already know some footballers seem to thrive for their country over the club environment with Ramsey definitely falling into that category, we know that he can do it at club level given that fantastic scoring season a few years’ back.

However in 2015/16, Ramsey was again shoe-horned into the starting eleven by Arsene Wenger on many occasions with the Welshman often starting out on the right as opposed to his favoured central midfield berth.

With Granit Xhaka arriving this summer, not to mention Jack Wilshere being back in the fold, Ramsey faces a battle to start week in, week out in the centre of the park but his international form with Wales should serve as a confidence booster that’s for sure!

5. Gabriel Paulista

Gabriel

The overall notion regarding Gabriel Paulista is that he’s a raw centre back who is still learning the true rigours of being a Premier League defender.

Sucked into the Diego Costa trap away at Chelsea last season, it was very naive on the Brazilian’s part and thus far in his Arsenal career, he’s a talented and combative centre back but still one prone to being rash and unpredictable in his play.

Absolutely loving physical contact and a sliding challenge, these traits please the Arsenal fanbase who love Gabriel’s fighting spirit but there were still a few too many occasions whereby his defensive skills were lacking last season.

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