In the last eight years, Arsenal have sold three of their last four captains to Barcelona. Thomas Vermaelen’s transfer marks the latest in a long line of movers from the Emirates Stadium to the Camp Nou.

But unlike the last captain to make this particular switch, there has been no ill feeling among Arsenal supporters, predominantly because Vermaelen isn’t the player he once was, and, considering the partnership of Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny, was entirely expendable.

Once again Arsene Wenger has moved on a once-important player at the right time. Vermaelen is 28, has been out of the Arsenal first team for well over a year and has a history of injury troubles that could further hamper his efforts to regain his best form. Cesc Fabregas he is not; Vermaelen can no longer be truly considered at the peak of his powers.

And Barcelona aren’t up in arms about this either. It’s an underwhelming signing on their part, going along the same path that saw them sign Jeremy Mathieu from Valencia earlier in the summer. The Frenchman, a recently converted centre-back, has been key for Valencia since moving inside from his left-back spot, but he’s 30, has no prior experience of handling the pressures that come with a club like Barcelona, and, above all, his signing doesn’t cover the club for the long term.

Instead of Vermaelen as their second centre-back addition, Barcelona were said to be chasing Mats Hummels and Jan Vertonghen, and had also been frustrated in their efforts to sign Marquinhos from Paris Saint-Germain. Vermaelen was very much at the bottom of their list of options.

But Arsene Wenger and Arsenal won’t mind. They’ve got exactly what they wanted in not having to sell domestically to Manchester United, which would have done far more damage to their reputation than Vermaelen would have done on the pitch, either directly or indirectly.

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In Barcelona, Arsenal have found the perfect opportunity, though also receiving a smaller fee, to move on from a player who was in decline and who very well could have been usurped as the third-choice option by Calum Chambers.

Wenger, once again, and though it hasn’t always been clear, has put the player’s best interest first while also keeping a mindful eye on his own house. Vermaelen will find a bigger role at Barcelona because, quite frankly, their central defence is far from stable, and even now with four centre-back options, plus Javier Mascherano who will move back into midfield, we don’t know who Luis Enrique’s first-choice pair will be.

Vermaelen very much has the opportunity to win himself a starting place at his new club and should also adapt well to their playing style, having been a part of similar philosophies while at Arsenal and Ajax.

And this is the best move for Arsenal too. The team’s central defensive group needed to get younger. Yes, Chambers is a long-term option, but another is needed. Kostas Manolas would make a lot of sense at 23 years of age; so too would Basel’s Fabian Schar, 22.

Barcelona, though not hitting the heights of the Luis Suarez deal, have added two experienced defenders in a period where they had to act; simply ‘getting by,’ as they had done in the past, was not an option. They’re covered now for numbers, and Vermaelen, Mathieu, Gerard Pique, and Marc Bartra should see them through the upcoming transfer ban.

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In the meantime, Arsenal have moved on a player who was unsettled and have thus allowed themselves to freshen things up. Competition will prove to be a vital ingredient in seeing the club add to their FA Cup win.

A major sale was always going to happen this summer, and moving on Vermaelen is no great loss to Arsenal.

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The majority of the Premier League appears to overlook the Championship as a viable recruitment pool, often favouring talents from foreign top flights.

But breaking the mould, West Ham added two Championship starlets to their roster last summer – former Charlton youngster Diego Poyet and left-back Aaron Cresswell, who’s since featured in every minute of the Hammer’s league campaign.

Thus, and knowing that Sam Allardyce likes to beat the curve on all things transfer market, here’s FIVE Championship stars the Irons boss should be keeping an eye on, with the summer 2015 transfer window in mind.

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ALEX PRITCHARD

Technically not a Championship player but certainly one worth keeping an eye on, Tottenham Hotspur loanee Alex Pritchard has featured in every league fixture for a Brentford side that’s hugely surpassed expectations by making the playoff standings – winning seven of their last 13 – since promotion from League One last season.

And the stats say it all. Not only is the central midfielder the Bees’ joint-second top scorer with three goals – including this strike against Reading:

…he’s also created more chances (documented as key passes) than any player in the squad:

The 21 year-old comes with guile, technical quality and flair, particularly famed for his dead ball ability – such as this stunner against MK Dons last season:

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But Pritchard knows how to put his foot in too, averaging 1.9 tackles per match this season.

And that productive form for Brentford follows an impressive loan spell with Swindon Town in League One last season, where he grabbed eight goals (six in the league) and eleven assists in 44 appearances across all competitions. Here’s a look at the England U21 in action:

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Measuring in at just 5 foot 8, Pritchard lacks the physicality of your average top flight midfielder. But his progress over the last 18 months is impossible to ignore, and should he find first team opportunities limited at White Hart Lane next season, West Ham would be wise to take the playmaking youngster off Tottenham’s hands.

BEN MARSHALL

Blackburn are determined to make it back to the top flight this season and a significant factor in their promotion push will be the form of goal-scoring winger Ben Marshall.

Indeed, the 23 year-old has bagged six goals and three assists in 16 Championship outings this season, with manager Gary Bowyer describing his finishing as ‘Premier League quality’. Take this stunning free kick against Reading for example:

Or this likeminded effort against Chelsea from his Leicester City days:

Or this cracking volley that was unfortunately disallowed:

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The one-time Stoke City product certainly knows where the goal is – and not only from dead ball situations – but he’s also a grafter with a bullish 6 foot frame, averaging 1.6 tackles and 1.1 interceptions this season and even putting in three appearances at right-back.

Blackburn will likely be involved in the play-offs come May-time; they possess one of the strongest squads in the division and are currently just one point away from the top six.

But should they fail to achieve promotion, top flight clubs will feel compelled to run the rule over the former England U21, purely due to his talismanic ability to affect the scoreline from midfield.

MICHAIL ANTONIO

Michail Antonio has proved an inspired addition since joining the Nottingham Forest ranks from Sheffield Wednesday last summer.

The 24 year-old has claimed nine goals and six assists in 17 appearances this season, making him in some way responsible for 58% of Forest’s league goals. That includes this impressive solo effort against Watford:

The former non-leaguer, with Tooting and Mitcham United, boasts an interesting versatility too, being capable of adopting virtually any role in midfield or attack, as shown below:

He comes with that grittiness and extra edge that often accompanies players who’ve forced their way up the English pyramid, such as Charlie Austin and Rickie Lambert. Here’s a look at Antonio in action for Sheffield Wednesday:

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Antonio’s form appears to improve with his surroundings, suggesting he could quickly take to the top flight.

Forest will be reluctant to sell however even if they don’t achieve promotion this season, having signed the London-born winger for £1.5million last summer.

CHRIS SOLLY

There are certainly better-rounded right-backs in the Championship but Charlton Athletic’s Chris Solly does the simple things well.

In addition to amassing two assists for the in-form Addicks this season – currently just a point from the play-off places – he’s averaged the most tackles of any player in the Championship:

The 23 year-old comes with a decent amount of experience too, having made 136 league outings for Charlton since his debut in 2009. He’s also won the Player of the Year award twice, in 2012 and 2013, which tells you how highly-rated he is around the Valley.

The former England U17 measures in at just 5 foot 8 and sometimes struggles going forward. But defensively, he’s one of the best in the division, with a fantastic reading of the game and a never-say-die attitude.

Solly’s just come back from a near-season-long absence too, so by the end of the campaign those limitations in attack may diminish as the full-back’s confidence and fitness improves. And a small treat for your footballing senses – the best league goal Solly’s ever scored (out of two, ever):

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West Ham were strongly linked to the Charlton academy product in summer 2012, and it could be worth reviving their interest next summer if Arsenal loanee Carl Jenkinson doesn’t become a permanent signing at Upton Park.

CALLUM WILSON

After netting 21 goals in his final 37 league appearances at Coventry City, earning him a spot in the League One Team of the Year, Championship free-spenders Bournemouth splashed out £2million on young striker Callum Wilson this summer.

He’s already paying them back however, netting nine times in 17 appearances to become the Championship’s fifth-top scorer:

That includes this close-range finish to an impressive 31-pass move from Eddie Howe’s side:

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The 22 year-old is strong and quick and comes with that selfish streak which appears to accompany prolific goal-scorers.

Wilson’s impressive tally this term has been a major factor in Bournemouth’s shock rise to second in the Championship table, seeing him win the division’s Player of the Month award for October. He also earned the League One Player of the Month award last March for netting an incredible seven times:

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The Cherries are unlikely to remain in second-spot come May-time however, suggesting Wilson could be lured away.

But, having only gained Championship exposure this season, West Ham might want to wait for further, long-term evidence of the 5 foot 11 striker’s goalscoring credentials.

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It seems that with every passing day some more negative Liverpool news comes to light. Be it the Steven Gerrard contract saga, Mario Balotelli’s woeful form or Brendan Rodgers’ future, there is always something to worry about for Reds fans… aside from their side’s ailing performances on the pitch.

And now the future of Raheem Sterling is further in the dark, with Bayern Munich the latest European juggernaut to be aligned with the youngster. The England international’s contract negotiations seem to be moving as slowly as Rickie Lambert’s legs at the moment, so the possibility of the starlet leaving Merseyside is a genuine one, which is a MASSIVE worry for all who love the club.

Although Liverpool want to keep their man, does staying actually make sense for the player? We’re not entirely sure it does, and here are FIVE reasons why…

Has the chance to be a true great

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Sterling has the chance to be one of English football’s very best players. The 20-year-old already has 100 Liverpool appearances under his belt and is considered to be one of the Three Lions’ key players, with 13 caps to his name. It’s rare for players tipped to go to the very top at a young age to reach their predicted heights – just look at Freddy Adu – but the former QPR ace, who rose to prominence in his early teenage years, looks to be on course to live up to the billing.

Can he match his ambitions at Liverpool, though? It’s a tricky one to judge, but with the Reds by no means established at the top end of the Premier League, there’s a chance that the ceiling at Anfield may be lower than his talent deserves to reach.

More money

Okay, this one won’t be too popular with football fans, but Sterling could easily earn more money away from Anfield. A £70,000-per-week contract offer is believed to have been snubbed by the youngster, who is clearly aware that bigger clubs have more cash to burn. In fairness we can see where he’s coming from, with Ashley Young, by no means a top star anymore, earning in the region of £120,000-per-week at Man United.

Massive teams are interested in Sterling, which could prompt a bidding war should he look to make a move away from Anfield.

Big teams interested

The last point leads neatly into the fact that huge clubs are chasing Sterling. Bayern Munich are the latest giant of the game to be linked with the starlet, while Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City are also names to have been thrown into the mix. If you look at this bunch, they are all competing for domestic and European honours on a regular basis, and are – granted the Reds are a popular club – some of the most followed and loved sides on the planet.

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Liverpool cannot challenge regularly for top honours

Again edging on from the last point, Liverpool cannot offer regular challenges for silverware. Since Brendan Rodgers’ appointment as manager, the Merseyside outfit have not won a major trophy, and have, in truth, not really been that close – albeit they finished second in the league last season. The return to the Champions League this term illustrated just how far adrift of the true giants Liverpool are, with one the embarrassing double header against Real Madrid a genuine concern.

Sinking ship…

It may be a little early to completely write Liverpool off, but the signs are not great. From last season’s euphoric highs, the Reds are struggling on a weekly basis, and appear to be some way from the swashbuckling force they were just a matter of months ago. Add in the fact that Rodgers is under pressure and inspirational captain Steven Gerrard may either move away from Anfield or decline further due to his advancing years, and there are real causes to be worried. Sterling can escape the uncertainty with a move, and few could blame him for doing so.

It feels like only yesterday it’s summer counter-part slammed shut, but the January transfer window is now upon us, in what often constitutes a rather chaotic time of year for Premier League clubs.

And rumour has it that it could be an exceptionally busy one for Arsenal; currently a point short of a Champions League spot, there’s plenty of speculation suggesting the north Londoners will look to strengthen ahead of the second half of their campaign.

Even if Arsene Wenger decides not to dip into the piggy bank, there are a number of integral transfer issues that require his attention this month. Being the helpful bunch we are at Football Fancast, we’ve listed the four we view as the most important. So without further ado…

A back-up centre-back

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With the absence of a back-up centre-back already having such a detrimental impact on Arsenal’s Premier League campaign – either Mathieu Debuchy and Nacho Monreal, both attacking full-backs measuring in at 5 foot 11, have filled in at centre-half eleven times already this term – there’s no way the Gunners enter the second half of the season without signing another central defender.

There’s been worryingly little discussion of the issue on the transfer front this month, with the majority of speculation dedicated to the Gunners’ near-completed deal for Krystian Bielik, but The Daily Mail have reported a scouting trip to Espanyol this week to run the rule over Mexico centre-back Hector Moreno, suggesting a bid could be imminent.

In addition to impressing at the last two World Cups, the 26 year-old has been regarded as one of La Liga’s most consistent defenders for some time.

Should that not be the case however, the other options available to Arsenal are well-known; West Ham contract rebel Winston Reid – a master of the nuts and bolts of the defensive trade, albeit, slightly lacking on the technical front – has been strongly linked with an Emirates move, as has FC Basel prodigy Fabian Schar.

The Swiss international has continually impressed in the Champions League over the last 18 months – last season, averaging an incredible 3.3 tackles, 4 interceptions, 6.7 clearances and 1.8 successful aerial duels per match – and boasts all the aesthetic, ball-playing qualities one could want in a modern day centre-half.

All can likely be signed for under the £10million mark – but failing to sign any this month, in classic Wenger style, could well cost the Gunners their Champions League status.

MOUSSA SISSOKO – IS HE THE MIDFIELDER ARSENAL NEED?

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Reports linking Arsenal with a £16million bid for Newcastle star Moussa Sissoko have remained regular and consistent this month, suggesting there could be some legitimacy to the rumour – but is the France international the midfielder the Gunners really need?

It’s the 25 year-old’s pace, power and industry that’s believed to have struck a chord with Arsene Wenger, having revealed his desire for a ‘physical presence…like Vieira or Petit’ back in September, and Sissoko would provide some much needed diversity in Arsenal’s engine room from their otherwise diminutive playmakers.

But Sissoko’s physicality, thus far in the Premier League, has been better felt in offensive capacities. Last term, he recorded six assists as an unorthodox right winger and this season he’s being utilised almost as a poor man’s Yaya Toure; a battering ram of attacking brawn in the No.10 role.

The last thing Arsenal need this month is another offensive midfielder, or at Sissoko’s most conservative description, a box-to-box. It’s the exact reason Wenger gave for not signing Real Madrid contract rebel Sami Khedira last summer.

What the Gunners require most is an out-and-out enforcer, which brings us nicely on to…

Defensive midfield – is Krystian Bielik ready?

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Measuring in at a lofty 6 foot 4 and famed for his physicality, impending Arsenal signing Krystian Bielik appears to fit the category of a tough-tackling, imposing holding midfielder. But is the 17 year-old, of Polish side Legia Warsaw, ready for regular first team football at Premier League level?

The immediate assumption, based on his limited experience and age, would be a resounding ‘no’, in which case, Arsenal still need to sign another defensive midfielder this January – especially with Mikel Arteta ruled out for the next three months.

Top level defensive midfielders aren’t in copious supply at the minute but anonymous author ‘The Secret Footballer’ claims Arsenal have reached an agreement for Southampton star Morgan Schneiderlin, who’s currently joint-seventh in the Premier League’s tackle charts, as reported by The Express.

Still an unconfirmed rumour however, it’s worth considering some alternatives. Bayer Leverkusen’s Lars Bender – a lung-bursting ball of robust challenges, work-rate and determination – has been linked with Arsenal before and as recently as November by the Metro, who claim a £19million bid.

Or how about an audacious swoop for Bayern Munich’s Javi Martinez? A 6 foot 5 monolith, capable of playing in midfield or defence, with considerable technical ability, the Spain international would bring huge improvement to Arsenal’s starting Xi. He’s been sidelined for the entirety of the current season season but will struggle to reclaim a first team place following the summer arrivals of Xabi Alonso and Mehdi Benatia, suggesting the 25 year-old could be interested in a move away from the Allianz Arena.

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Loan destinations for younger players

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As ever, the Emirates is brimming with promising young talents, but not all are getting the amount of game-time they’d like to this season.

Particularly, Costa Rican World Cup sensation Joel Campbell. He impressed at Brazil 2014 and on loan last season with Olympiacos, scoring an incredible goal against Manchester United in the Champions League, but has so far seen just 39 minutes’ worth of Premiership action.

Arsene Wenger claimed he ‘loves’ the 22 year-old winger-forward back in November, but he needs to gain some experience in the English top flight if he’s ever to become a recurring feature in Arsenal’s starting XI.

Newcastle have recently been linked with a loan bid by The Metro but it’s a rather turbulent period at St. James’s right now, with the Magpies currently between managers.

Resultantly, Wenger needs to find Campbell a more viable loan destination this month, preferably in the Premier League. My recommendation would be Everton – Roberto Martinez’s progressive philosophy is reminiscent of Wenger’s, and the Spaniard proved his capability with loanees last season, bringing a high level of performance out of Gareth Barry, Romelu Lukaku and Gerard Deulofeu.

Others that could, and probably should, go out on loan this month include Serge Gnabry, Chuba Akpom, Isaac Hayden and Gedion Zelalem – all of whom appear ready to ply their trade at a competitive level.

Although they still sit behind Manchester City in the Premier League table, on current from, there is only one side that appears like they can stop Mourinho’s side. Arsenal is the form team in the league, with nine games to go, are they now in the title race?

Wenger’s men were in scintillating form at home to West ham, playing with the kind of dynamism that makes them a threat to any side in the country. Since the first leg defeat to Monaco in Europe, Arsenal have reacted strongly, winning their next three games.

Mesut Ozil, finally looks like he may be putting a consistent run of performances together, the type that made him one of the best players in the world. Since his signing from Real Madrid, many have been quick to get on the German’s back, however recent outings are beginning to persuade even the most fervent anti-Ozil supporters.

In Alexis Sanchez, they have one of the stand-out performers of the season, 13 league goals has been more than Wenger could have wished for from the Chilean star. Ironically, Arsenal’s recent strengths have coincided with the former Barcelona man’s first dip in form. When Sanchez clicks again Arsenal have yet another potent arm to attack with.

For what has seemed like years, Arsenal have lacked a real top quality striker. Since the departure of Thierry Henry and the retirement of Denis Bergkamp, the Gunners have been a knife without an edge.

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Now they have Olivier Giroud.

Still chastised by some Giroud continues to deliver the goods, he himself acknowledges how disappointing he was against Monaco, but his goal against West Ham highlighted the kind of quality he has. He could still yet fire Arsenal to an amazing end of season party.

With fixtures against Manchester United, Liverpool and title rivals Chelsea to play, Arsenal could still enter the title race.

Chelsea are faltering, it is beginning to look distinctly similar to the late season collapse last year. They threw away the title last time around with poor results against teams they would expect to beat. It could happen again.

With Man City’s season seemingly fall apart too; second place seems a good bet for Wenger’s men. If everything clicks together from now till April, Arsenal could be on the cusp of something they haven’t achieved in a decade.

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Still in the Champions League (just), still in the Premier League race (just) and the favourites for the FA Cup, we could be a few months ago from the greatest ‘shock’ treble in the history of football.

However, this season ends, Arsenal are entering the business end of a season and are genuinely in the tile race. It has to be seen as genuine progression, Mourinho may be looking over his shoulder and he will be more worried to see the Red of Arsenal, than the Sky Blue of City.

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Last season Steven Gerrard ran the show for Liverpool as they battered Manchester United in the Premier League run-in, scoring twice from the spot for Brendan Rodgers’ side. However, just about a year on, ‘Captain Fantastic’ is confined to the bench for the biggest fixture of the Reds’ campaign, with Joe Allen and Jordan Henderson picked to run the show in the middle for the Merseysiders.

Gerrard himself is just returning from a lengthy injury lay-off, but a player of his magnitude and importance to Liverpool may well have expected to get the nod from Rodgers, but there seems to be little room for sentiment for the Northern Irishman. The ‘No 8’ has not been the all-conquering force he once was this season and is set to leave this summer for semi-retirement in Los Angeles with the Galaxy, and it seems unlikely that he’ll be kissing the camera after a goal today. So, how did Liverpool fans take the news… pretty well!

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Liverpool’s chances of finishing in the top four are over after their 1-1 draw with champions Chelsea, but it looks like their star replacement has already arrived at Anfield.

Manchester United have a six-point lead on the Reds and a superior goal difference, which means they are now only fighting for a Europa League place. When veteran Steven Gerrard scored the equaliser just before half-time it looked like they had a real chance of clinching victory, but it wasn’t to be.

As it became clearer they were not in the running for a Champions League place anymore, manager Brendan Rodgers decided to change the team a little bit.

Rickie Lambert had been hugely disappointing throughout the match so he was brought off and replaced by unknown 18-year-old Jerome Sinclair. The appearance was his first ever in the Premier League and given that the visitors will still looking for an important win, it was a surprise decision by the Rodgers.

It was unlikely that he was going to make a massive impact in such a big game – to be brought on for your debut in the Premier League at the Champion’s home ground cannot be an easy task, but that just shows how little Rodgers thinks of his current striking options.

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Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini were both left out of the match day squad, which surely shows they will be heading out of Anfield during the summer transfer window. The Reds have been linked with many players in the run-up to the end of the season, but it is possible he is hoping to use is young talent to bring a completely different style to the club.

The 18-year-old Englishman was ineffective in the 22 minutes he was on the pitch, but it could be the start of a new challenge for him.

Christian Benteke and Danny Ings have already been linked with moves to Anfield and many believe Rodgers is eyeing a complete reshuffle in the Reds’ attacking department. It is also believed Lambert will join the Italian pair heading for the exit door after Daniel Sturridge’s injury-ridden season has left a huge hole up-front for the side and the job has not been delivered.

Since being named as Liverpool gaffer in 2012, Rodgers has stated that he wants to bring talent through the academy at the club. Sinclair made his Liverpool debut just six days after his 16th birthday, making him the youngest ever player at the club.

He has been an academy regular and Rodgers has been impressed by his finishing ability and pace. One of his biggest assets is his unpredictability – as he has progressed through the academy and into the youth team it has been clear that he can read defenders and have the ability to change his style. His game has been compared to Raheem Sterling and Sturridge.

In an interview earlier in the season he said: “I’ve been told quite a lot we are a similar type of player and type of striker so I always watch him play.

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“I try to pick up little bits of his game and our similarities so I can improve to be at the level he is at one day.”

Having netted an impressive 22 goals for the academy this season it is clear to see why Rodgers is keen to bring him right through the ranks. As the season draws to a close, the manager wants to see what talent he already has on his books before he goes out and spends.

There is no doubt Sinclair is going to be the next youngster that Rodgers develops in his squad and as he learns and develops, he could certainly show Balotelli how to play football for Liverpool in the future.

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Manchester United supporters will always be grateful for the 26 goals Robin van Persie scored to help the Red Devils clinch their 20th title in 2013, but they can’t deny that since that productive season the Dutchman has been in sharp decline.

In just two years Van Persie has transformed from a prolific striker capable of putting fear into an opposition’s defence, in to a player on the periphery who has been plagued by both loss of form and reoccurring injuries.

Most expect the 31-year-old to leave Old Trafford this summer, with offers sure to come from a few decent European clubs, as although Van Persie may not be good enough to regularly start for United anymore, he could still be influential at a smaller club. Alternatively, like many former great players whose careers are coming to an end, Van Persie could choose a move across the pond to America’s MLS.

But reports are that the Netherlands international and his family have made a happy life for themselves in Cheshire, with their children settled in a nearby school.

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Rather than uproot his family in search of a new challenge the answer could be for Van Persie to just stay put. This option wouldn’t be available to just anyone but considering that the forward has had a good relationship with manager Louis van Gaal for many years, he may just be able to see out his final contracted year before negotiating a shock renewal.

Van Persie needs to convince his fellow countryman that his skills and experience will make him the ideal second-choice striker for United in a similar way to how Didier Drogba is for Chelsea. The 37-year-old Ivorian returned to play under Jose Mourinho this season and has been used effectively as a super sub.

His addition to the squad was particularly useful when strikers Diego Costa and Loic Remy were both unavailable through injury. Drogba hasn’t exactly lit up the league but he has still created chances and will on May 24th receive a Premier League winner’s medal for helping the Blues wrap up their fourth title.

Currently United have Van Persie, Radamel Falcao and Javier Hernandez all on their books but Hernandez, who has spent the last year trying to prove himself at Real Madrid, is likely to take a permanent contract elsewhere and Falcao understandably only has the slightest of chances of still being a Red Devil next season.

Fortunately United have announced the highly anticipated signing of PSV Eindhoven’s Memphis Depay for around £25million. The 21-year-old has scored 21 league goals for the Dutch club this season, who for the first time in seven seasons were recently crowned Eridivisie champions.

The stage could be set for Depay to take the principal centre forward role on a regular basis with Van Persie playing back-up as a substitute and main striker for Cup fixtures. With this type of set-up then captain Wayne Rooney would be able to sit deeper as though he has a good eye for goal, he is not exactly prolific enough to be solely relied upon.

Robin Van Persie still has a lot to give to United both on and off the pitch and with the club hopefully back in the Champions League next season, then there’ll be plenty of opportunities for the Dutchman to impress and perhaps even win his place back into the starting XI.

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But first he must convince Van Gaal that he is worth the hassle.

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According to reports in the Daily Mail, West Ham United striker Diafra Sakho was forced to take his place on the substitutes’ bench in the 1-0 defeat against Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday night, but Irons fans are still divided on the 27-year-old’s future.

The Daily Mail says that the Senegal international was expecting to start having been named in the XI in the previous rounds, but a discussion with manager David Moyes about bonuses and why he hadn’t been starting in the Premier League meant that he was relegated to the bench against the Gunners.

However, the centre-forward, who has scored four goals this term, then said he didn’t want to play but was eventually persuaded to stay and take his place in the 18, and he came on as a 65th minute substitute in the loss.

West Ham supporters were quick to have their say on Sakho via social media, and they are largely divided about what the future should hold for the striker.

While one said it’s “time to get rid” of him in January, another said “just double his wages and he can be a top striker”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

Arsenal vs Liverpool rarely disappoints in terms of goals and with the Premier League’s fifth and fourth-placed sides respectively currently separated by just one point in the table, Arsene Wenger and Jurgen Klopp will be hoping there will be a few more when the two teams meet on Friday night.

Indeed, the 7.45pm kickoff could be incredibly telling in this season’s race for Champions League qualification, but which manager faces the bigger injury problems, how will the referee influence the match and can history hint at the likeliest result? Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Arsenal vs Liverpool…

Head-to-Head

History tells us this fixture nearly always delivers a healthy supply of goals. Throughout their 51 Premier League meetings, a whopping 141 have been scored – and perhaps more significantly, there have been just five scoreless draws between both teams during that time.

However, despite winning three more Premier League titles than Liverpool, it’s the Reds who tend to come out on top in this fixture. They’ve claimed four more wins than the Gunners and are yet to lose a top flight game against the north Londoners with Jurgen Klopp at the helm.

Tellingly, Arsenal’s win rate at home against Liverpool is just 36% – only 8% greater than Friday’s visitors at the same venue.

Referee influence – Martin Atkinson

While Martin Atkinson certainly isn’t the strictest referee in terms of penalties and bookings, one statistic particularly stand out ahead of Friday’s game – the rate of fouls he’s awarded per match this season, ranking seventh out of the Premier League’s 18 referees.

The numbers suggests that affects Arsenal far more than Liverpool; the Gunners are currently joint-fifth in the Premier League for fouls this season, ranking a whopping ten places higher than Jurgen Klopp’s side, and considering how deadly Philippe Coutinho is from free kicks, that could well prove to be a deciding factor at the Emirates Stadium.

Additionally – in another concerning stat for Gunners followers when coupled with Arsenal’s modest win rate at home against Liverpool – 50% of the matches Atkinson has officiated this season have ended in away wins.

Team News

Arsenal have set up in a 3-4-3 system on the most-part this season but the absence of midfielder Aaron Ramsey has seen Arsene Wenger switch back to his more tried and trusted 4-2-3-1 setup in recent weeks.

The big boost for Arsenal is the expected return of defensive lynchpin Shkodran Mustafi, which could pave the way for Nacho Monreal to return to his natural position of left-back – something that would suit a flat back-four more than using the Spaniard as a wing-back in the same way as Sead Kolasinac.

Alex Iwobi and Alexis Sanchez are expected to keep their places out wide, but don’t be too surprised to see one of them switched for Danny Welbeck after scoring against West Ham in midweek. Granit Xhaka, meanwhile, will play a crucial role at the base of midfield.

At this point of the season, Liverpool’s game plan is pretty clear. The only real question is which personnel are placed in Jurgen Klopp’s 4-3-3 setup.

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There’s been a huge focus on the fab four and although Sadio Mane, Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah haven’t actually played together as frequently as many would assume this season, we’re tipping all of them to start against Arsenal on Friday night.

That sees Mane return to the starting XI after being left out against Bournemouth last weekend, in search of his fifth top flight goal of the campaign.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain looks nailed on to start against his former club, but Joel Matip’s absence is still being felt at the heart of defence with Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan representing Klopp’s next-best options.