THREE Arsenal Players Who Should Be Dropped After Napoli Loss

Arsenal had a late scare in Italy last night as Napoli almost snatched their place in the next stage of the Champions League. The Italians won the game 2-0 – a result which saw Borussia Dortmund win the group, and Mikel Arteta picked up two yellow cards to further hinder the Gunners. On the back of the result, here are three players who I feel Arsene Wenger should bench ahead of Saturday’s tie with Manchester City. Before you slate me, read my reasons why and read take off any rose-tinted specs before reading.

1) Carl Jenkinson

The right-back had a stinker against Napoli last night and with Bacary Sagna potentially back in the frame for the weekend it could be time the young Englishman is dropped.

Jenkinson has really improved as a player over the last year or so as Sagna has been in and out of the squad and he deserve major credit for how he’s stood in. However, up against Lorenzo Insigne Jenkinson struggled to retain the little winger and showed why he should perhaps be shown the bench ahead of David Silva and Samir Nasri visiting north London.

If Sagna fails to recover from his hamstring injury though he may keep his place.

2) Mikel Arteta

It goes without saying, I think. Forget the red card against the Serie A outfit – Arteta’s form is slowly dipping and the sooner he is rested the better in my eyes. It’s not like Arsenal are short for options in central midfield, is it?

Jack Wilshere could step in, as could Aaron Ramsey who didn’t start against Rafa Benitez’s men.

3) Olivier Giroud

This, along with the first, may be a controversial decision by myself but I stand by it wholeheartedly. Before you slate me, I rate Giroud massively and what he’s done this season deserve immense respect. His goals have been a major part of the Gunners’ success so far but he’s looking tired right now and his performance against the Italians showed that Wenger should be looking to sign a striker in January.

If I was manager, I would be unleashing Theo Walcott as a centre-forward to exploit the lack of pace that City have at centre-back.

@GeorgePoolie2