Bendtner & Vela: leaving on the 'JET' plane?

Could three of Arsenal’s forwards profit from spells elsewhere?



Bendtner & Vela: leaving on the 'JET' plane?

Elmander – Might be worth half a season


Jay Emmanuel-Thomas may soon be going out on loan, but with Robin Van Persie back to fitness, should Nicklas Bendtner and Carlos Vela also be joining him?

Arsene Wenger recently discussed the possibility of his younger players going on loan in January and Jay Emmanuel Thomas' name looked to be top of the January exit list.

Arsene confirmed he would consider loan deals for "players like Jay Emmanuel-Thomas who need to mature to play, who don't get in the team at the moment ".

A number of Championship clubs have expressed an interest in taking Jay on loan in recent weeks, including Sheffield Utd. But with Jay having already completed two loan periods last year at Championship clubs - first with Doncaster and then with Blackpool - Wenger feels it is Premier League experience that would most benefit the youngster now.

“If I can find them a club in the Premier League I will let him go to let him have an experience like Jack Wilshere last year.”

Jay Emmanuel Thomas (nicknamed JET) certainly looks in need of a new challenge because reserve team football no longer seems to provide much of it for the versatile youngster- in the 7 appearances he's made so far this season Jay has fired in 10 goals (including the odd wonder goal, such as this one against Everton.

But yet he hasn't really had chance to prove himself at a higher level having only featured for Arsenal twice so far: both times coming on as a substitute very late in the game, admittedly to little effect.

So if JET isn't to get his chance in the Arsenal first team this year, then come January it seems logical that he should get a chance to prove his Premiership credentials elsewhere.

But another player who some might argue 'needs to mature to play', as Wenger puts it, is Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner.

In a recent outburst Bendtner himself claimed "I just lack minor things now to be back to my best again but I'm only getting those by playing matches." So why not give him what he wants (and in fairness probably needs too)? Especially if, as Wenger claims, “Van Persie is getting stronger every day" and that "in the next month to three weeks (January time) he will really be back to his best level."

Arsene Wenger's talk of possible combinations between Van Persie and Chamakh also suggest that Bendtner's playing opportunities will be all the fewer should Van Persie regain (and retain) full fitness.

“We can play Chamakh and Van Persie together. We can play Chamakh up front and Van Persie behind. What is interesting is that we can play all kind of formations with the two.”

And with Carling Cup (and Champions League) now reaching the sharp end. Wenger might be even less inclined to field his fringe players - of which at present Bendtner is undoubtedly one.

Of course Wenger may feel Van Persie's injury proneness would make such a move overly risky. He'd still have two baskets to put his eggs in, so to speak, but then one of those baskets looks likely to break at any moment (and complains that other Dutch baskets aren't bought, but that’s another matter). Anyhow, Bendtner leaving might leave Arsene a little shorter for options than he'd like to be up top.

A swap deal, however, could eliminate that particular problem.

Bolton are known to be looking to lose some of the wage burden that has put the club into over £80 million pounds of debt and top earners such as Gary Cahill and Johan Elmander look likely to make way sooner or later.

Elmander is now moving into the last six months of his contract and Owen Coyle has already stated that "if in January a top club, a Champions League club, came in for Johan, it would only be natural that he would turn his head at that".

Wenger's opinion on Elmander's suitability for Arsenal isn't known, but Coyle - who Wenger obviously does think highly of - describes the Swede as 'a top class player' and Elmander's performances and eight goal haul have certainly impressed many this term, including his former team-mate Jack Wilshire.

Wilshire, on hearing of Johan's 'Barclays Player Of The Month' award in November, tweeted that Johan "deserves that award more than anyone! Always working hard and is a great lad and a good friend of mine"

I wonder if a six month swap-deal would be considered. That way Bendtner could get the first team football he craves and probably needs, and might also benefit from Owen Coyle's input as Jack Wilshire so obviously has.


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20
comments

  1. Benjamin Cullen

    Dec 31, 2010, 14:10 #568

    Just to say this was written before Silva was denied his visa, but thanks for your comments guys

  2. Edgar

    Dec 18, 2010, 0:19 #359

    Arsenal have got to be the dumbest club on the planet. I knew it was a mistake to resign him. Too many injuries. How many games have arsenal lost because of a crap keeper? Lehman should have been replaced as soon as he left. Instead, arsenal add more attack options. Arshavin is crap. He dribbles too much and takes dumb shots. Wenger never let the young players develop. Diaby is garbage. The backline lacks veteran leadership. Fabregas is on his way out. FOR THE LAST TIME GOONERS! STOP CLAIMING THAT THIS YEAR IS YOUR YEAR. I've been hearing that for the last 5 years.

  3. Mad Mike

    Dec 12, 2010, 11:57 #191

    I trust Wenger because I feel that there is much method in the madness. His soft spot for Bendtner however is beyond my comprehension. Bendtner makes great runs and he always seems to be in the right place at the right time but his finishing is woeful. I am at a complete loss in understanding Wenger's faith in Bendtner. In fact, the only explanation I have ever been able to offer is that Nicolas Bendtner must be Arsene's secret love child!

  4. yaza

    Dec 12, 2010, 10:55 #190

    on the arsenal website it already says that wellington silva is going on loan straight away coz of permit order

  5. Rotimi

    Dec 12, 2010, 9:25 #186

    It we very gud 2 hav ELMANDER wat great assess he would be 4 ARSENAL.

  6. Zman

    Dec 12, 2010, 8:28 #185

    Too bad FIFA won't let silva join us in January

  7. al

    Dec 12, 2010, 7:57 #184

    Vela should leave arsenal and play somewhere else

  8. Top Gun.

    Dec 12, 2010, 7:04 #183

    Get rid of those players who don't add value to the team.

  9. MaxP

    Dec 12, 2010, 3:48 #182

    I can't see Wenger loaning out all of those forwards. You need cover. AS you say Van Persie is suspect when it comes to maintaining fitness and the squad policy involves rotation. But no manager in his right mind would leave himself with only two recognised strikers. Look at the problems we have at the back and that's with four centre backs.

  10. stubbs

    Dec 12, 2010, 1:08 #181

    silva didnt get a work permit, so he'll be going out on loan too

  11. Rob

    Dec 11, 2010, 23:34 #180

    Interesting thoughts on a swap, i worry that if Bendtner goes elsewhere he will shine. Didnt Wellington get rejected for his work-permit? Heard he will be loaned to a european club.

  12. dats

    Dec 11, 2010, 22:22 #179

    I've read the Wellington Silva failed to receive the required work permit and will need to go out on loan in Spain for 3 years or more

  13. trugun

    Dec 11, 2010, 22:02 #178

    Wellington-Silva will not be coming FIFA have reneged on giving him special player status so he's off to spain for three years.

  14. viktor

    Dec 11, 2010, 20:51 #177

    im swedish so i know alot about elmander! and ill tell u directly that he isnt arsenal material. Dont get me wrong his a great player when he has confidence but as soon as he looses it he will loose it for long periods and is basically useless during those patches. Must better to give JET or Vela a chance in that case.

  15. Jegbie

    Dec 11, 2010, 20:19 #176

    Wellington isn't coming in Jan. Didn't get a work permit. We won't see him for quite some time.

  16. silentstan

    Dec 11, 2010, 20:10 #175

    not keeping up with events then? silva didnt get a visa

  17. Franny

    Dec 11, 2010, 19:50 #174

    Depend on RVP?? Feck no. He's lost all his pace and we play better when he's not in the team.

  18. ebuoe

    Dec 11, 2010, 19:41 #173

    Dreaming too big mate! There is a better chance that Arsenal will win a quintuple this season!

  19. Nathan

    Dec 11, 2010, 19:35 #172

    Wellington aint coming *sniff*

  20. gunner17

    Dec 11, 2010, 19:29 #171

    never ever count on RvP being fit. if he's available, it's extra. we cannot possibly lose bendtner. vela maybe. i hope he stays though. at least until botelho can come back.