Written by Adam Gold Tuesday, 16 March 2010 15:32

GunnerTalk Blog

By Adam Gold

Niklas Bendtner came of age by scoring a hat-trick against Porto in the Champs League. Or did he? Let's take a look at which of Wenger's latest generation of youngsters will make the grade, and which will be cast off by the French gaffer. Hits or Misses: Have your say below.

Bendtner - Gooners have been dubious for ages about his touch, distribution and most of all his eye for goal. The doubters wrote him off after his woeful finishing display against Burnley - Gunnersaurus could have done better. But now a hat-trick in Europe and he's our new super striker. The truth: his three goals against Porto were not hard. He needs to be monumental for the rest of the season to prevent Arsene from buying a new understudy to Van Persie in the summer. Verdict: MISS.

Diaby - Signed alongside Moneybayor, Abou's had a shocking time with injuries. As such his challenges in midfield often looked feeble for such a big fella. Lately he's finally added strength to his game, which already included skill and capable finishing from deep areas. Should only get better over the next two seasons. Verdict: HIT.

Walcott - "Wo-ho Theo Walcott, Theo Theo Walcott, he's an Englishman at Arsenal..." So his song goes, but is the fans wanting him to succeed at the Emirates good enough? We've all seen his flashes of brilliance and bullet pace, but more than that we've seen him sprint so quickly up that right wing that he forgets the ball. He's had four years now to prove himself - but unlike that other English prodigy who arrived in the Prem at 16, Wayne Rooney, he wasn't already built like a tank. Is Theo too lightweight for the Premier League, but better suited to continental football? At present, it looks like it. Verdict: MISS.

Denilson - The only time he ever hits the ball forwards is for his all-too-rare screamers into the top corner. Where is this lad's confidence? He's played so many matches but both Song and Diaby have overtaken him as effective ball-winners in the middle of the park. Wenger sees something in him that Gooners don't. Given, he plays in football's least flashy position - the Makalele role - but we've had enough great midfielders to know one when we see one. Again, he may need to be 10/10 in the run-in or be fighting the likes of Craig Eastmond for his place next season. Verdict: MISS.

Alex Song - Laughably bad at times when he started in the first team, but his rise in competency as a midfield stopper has been meteoric. In my view, he's equal second with Vermaelen as our player of the season so far, behind only Cesc. We miss him visibly every time he's absent. If he carries on improving like this, we'll be building a team around him. Verdict: HIT.

Emmanuel Eboue - I never thought I see myself writing this, but there are moments where us home fans feel WE'VE only come to see Eboue! We do remember the embarrassing and hopeless times last season, but Eboue's strong running, good tackling and team motivating are now a pleasure to have in the squad. He may not be in the first XI each week but he's a great asset from the bench. Seems to have stopped throwing himself on the floor every five minutes now as well. Good man, Eboue. Verdict: HIT.

Carlos Vela - I watched his stunning goals against Sheffield United last season in the Carling Cup, and there were glimpses of Ian Wright in there. Massive enjoyment of his football, and scoring a variety of well-taking chances. Then, nothing. Vela looks completely out of his depth, like a little lost lamb. Like Theo, he seems to lack the oomph needed at times when Arsene plays him out on the wing. Up front he seems lack the physical presence to trouble lumpy Prem centre halves. He needs five portions a day of fire in his belly to make it at this club at this level, or ariba-ariba he's off. Verdict: MISS.