Goalkeepers
Lukasz Fabianski:
Renewed hope. Easily the most consistent spell he has had in his 6 year spell at the club. Brought in for the Munich game, to replace the “mentally tired” Szczesny, he did a superb job. While the decision was probably more to ensure Woj knew that he was droppable after a few suspect performances, Fabianski stepped up to the plate and did his job for the rest of the spell in the first team. He kept 2 clean sheets in his five outings, being undefeated in all of them. It was only injury that brought Szczesny back into the team for the Everton game. The elder pole has been waiting on the wings for the majority of his career, and in his most recent attempt, proved some of his critics wrong. However, a club like Arsenal should not be surprised when the second choice in a position as important as the keeper can come in for five games and not make a monumental cock up. Fabianski’s performances were encouraging but not remarkable.
Wojciech Szczesny:
Mentally tired. While he didn’t have any notable calamitous moments, his general performances were not as good as they could/should have been. Confidence got the better of him. It is understandable for such a young keeper to get complacent, and I think Wenger himself would admit that it is perhaps the fact that he has been over-used in the earlier parts of the his career that he became complacent with his ability and perhaps stopped working as hard as he had done earlier in his career. Looking at someone like De Gea for united, you can see how Ferguson ensured the Spaniard did not get complacent, despite the huge responsibility that came with being the club’s number one and the most money an English club had ever paid for a keeper. He got off to a slightly ropey start, and Ferguson responded by dropping him in favour of Lindegaard. Whilst it was obvious to all that De Gea would always end up starting for the club for years to come, it was important that he was shown that he could be dropped. While there are obvious differences in the ways that Ferguson managed and to the way Wenger does, you do feel that the Spaniard has become a better ‘keeper this season than his Polish counterpart as a result of increased competition. The lack of faith that Wenger had in the alternatives may well have been part of the problem as to why Szczesny was overplayed. With various reports of the boss attempting to get new keepers in, this can only mean increased competition and force all the keepers to improve their game.
Vito Mannone:
3rd choice. Despite the season where he played the most games of his Arsenal career, he did not manage to cement his position down as first choice keeper. He did not even manage to keep his position as second choice keeper, with Fabianski’s performances in 5 games doing more to secure the second choice than Mannone’s 13. Keeping clean sheets at the Brittania and Anfield both impressive feats, but not quite enough. His part in Grant Holt’s goal against us in October probably secured his role as third choice for the rest of the season. He was not, however given the same consistent defence that Fabianski had to support him. It would be surprising if he was still an Arsenal player by the end of the transfer. At the age of 25, he does not want to be the back-up to the back-up.
3rd choice. Despite the season where he played the most games of his Arsenal career, he did not manage to cement his position down as first choice keeper. He did not even manage to keep his position as second choice keeper, with Fabianski’s performances in 5 games doing more to secure the second choice than Mannone’s 13. Keeping clean sheets at the Brittania and Anfield both impressive feats, but not quite enough. His part in Grant Holt’s goal against us in October probably secured his role as third choice for the rest of the season. He was not, however given the same consistent defence that Fabianski had to support him. It would be surprising if he was still an Arsenal player by the end of the transfer. At the age of 25, he does not want to be the back-up to the back-up.
Defenders
Nacho Monreal:
Better than Santos. That is pretty much what he was bought for. It was clear that Santos was not good enough to be even a back-up left back, let alone for a perpetually injured Gibbs. The financial crises regarding Malaga meant that Monreal was available, relatively cheaply. It is hard to see who Wenger could have got that would have been a better LB at the time. He has proved to be a clearly competent member of the squad. A slight mix up with Vermaelen early on in his Arsenal career can be put down to a language barrier in the heat of the moment. Overall, looks to be the right player to give constant competition for places with Gibbs
Better than Santos. That is pretty much what he was bought for. It was clear that Santos was not good enough to be even a back-up left back, let alone for a perpetually injured Gibbs. The financial crises regarding Malaga meant that Monreal was available, relatively cheaply. It is hard to see who Wenger could have got that would have been a better LB at the time. He has proved to be a clearly competent member of the squad. A slight mix up with Vermaelen early on in his Arsenal career can be put down to a language barrier in the heat of the moment. Overall, looks to be the right player to give constant competition for places with Gibbs
Andre Santos:
Not good enough. Last season, it was just about possible to blame some of his performances on lack of fitness, or adapting to the English game. After a year at the club, this clearly was not a valid excuse for him anymore. He simply did not know how to play the role in which he was assigned. He would just wander forwards and leave all defensive responsibilities behind. When he did attempt to track back, he was too slow and too easy to turn. His appalling performance at Old Trafford was far more damaging for his Arsenal career than that stupid shirt swapping incident. Judging by reactions of players/his twitter he seems to have filled the void that Eboue left in terms of a “character” in the dressing room. Unfortunately he also took up Eboue’s defensive ability. Hopefully (for everyone involved) he can make his move to Brazil permanent this summer.
Not good enough. Last season, it was just about possible to blame some of his performances on lack of fitness, or adapting to the English game. After a year at the club, this clearly was not a valid excuse for him anymore. He simply did not know how to play the role in which he was assigned. He would just wander forwards and leave all defensive responsibilities behind. When he did attempt to track back, he was too slow and too easy to turn. His appalling performance at Old Trafford was far more damaging for his Arsenal career than that stupid shirt swapping incident. Judging by reactions of players/his twitter he seems to have filled the void that Eboue left in terms of a “character” in the dressing room. Unfortunately he also took up Eboue’s defensive ability. Hopefully (for everyone involved) he can make his move to Brazil permanent this summer.
Kieran Gibbs:
Getting there. His injury record has never been something to be proud of, and while it is still there, seems to be getting better. Starting the season as the obvious number one choice a left back, this was shaping up to be the best season yet for the 23 year old. It was his best, but he will be hoping for more. His continued progress was rewarded with the long term contract signed at the end of 2012. This campaign was perhaps the first one where he showed that he could consistently do a better job than his predecessor Gael Clichy. He managed to pick up his seemingly customary six week injury in January, leaving Wenger no choice but to buy Monreal, rather than trust the haphazard Santos. This season Gibbs has played more Premier League games than he has in the previous three seasons put together and is looking all the better for it.
Getting there. His injury record has never been something to be proud of, and while it is still there, seems to be getting better. Starting the season as the obvious number one choice a left back, this was shaping up to be the best season yet for the 23 year old. It was his best, but he will be hoping for more. His continued progress was rewarded with the long term contract signed at the end of 2012. This campaign was perhaps the first one where he showed that he could consistently do a better job than his predecessor Gael Clichy. He managed to pick up his seemingly customary six week injury in January, leaving Wenger no choice but to buy Monreal, rather than trust the haphazard Santos. This season Gibbs has played more Premier League games than he has in the previous three seasons put together and is looking all the better for it.
Sebastian Squallaici:
Not worth the time/effort/recycled jokes.
Not worth the time/effort/recycled jokes.
Laurent Koscielny:
Absolute boss. He has been the face of the renewed form in the Arsenal camp. He was man of the match and the goal scorer at the Allianz and since then has led the defence. He has found his perfect defensive partner in Mertesacker, with the team being undefeated with that CB partnership this season. Koscielny has come a long way since the harrowing Carling Cup “incident”. The combination of his pace and Mertesacker’s judgement and height helped Arsenal pick up the best away defence in the league. After a difficult first season, which built on last season, he became one of the most important players at the club this season. He was unlucky to be dropped early on in the season, and had issues with injury, but seems to have come out of it a much better player.
Absolute boss. He has been the face of the renewed form in the Arsenal camp. He was man of the match and the goal scorer at the Allianz and since then has led the defence. He has found his perfect defensive partner in Mertesacker, with the team being undefeated with that CB partnership this season. Koscielny has come a long way since the harrowing Carling Cup “incident”. The combination of his pace and Mertesacker’s judgement and height helped Arsenal pick up the best away defence in the league. After a difficult first season, which built on last season, he became one of the most important players at the club this season. He was unlucky to be dropped early on in the season, and had issues with injury, but seems to have come out of it a much better player.
Thomas Vermaelen:
Captain Average. If Arsenal did not make top four this year, one of the key reasons would have been Wenger’s second big decision of the season; who to choose as captain. The name on a lot of the fans lips was Wilshere, but after a 15 month absence, giving the armband to the then 20 year old was unthinkable. Arteta had only been there one season and with a fully fit, in form Diaby present, his starting position was not guaranteed (we saw how that panned out). Vermaelen had been our most consistent defender, clearly one of the few leaders on the pitch. An obvious choice… that backfired. Last season he was often played out of position at LB, but this year he could not blame that for his poor form. The fact that he was captain meant that there was added pressure on Wenger not to drop him unless he had no other choice. The single decision that probably saved the season was deciding to drop the captain in Munich. The games in which he has played since then he has coped well with the small amount of game-time he has had. With increasing reports that Ashley Williams will be signed in the coming days, there could be an increasing competition even for third choice CB… if the captain stays at the club.
Per Mertesacker:
BFG. After a mixed first season, he stormed it in this campaign. Many were saying that the pace of the premier league would be too much for possibly the slowest player in the league. However, his reading of the game proved to easily compensate for it… most of the time. While he is the CB that is least comfortable with the ball at his feet, having cleared the ball 160 times this season, (30 more than anyone else) he also had the highest pass percentage of any defender this season, at 92%. One of the reasons for this is the fact that he is always willing to play the simple ball, more often than not a 10 yard pass straight to Arteta ahead of him.
BFG. After a mixed first season, he stormed it in this campaign. Many were saying that the pace of the premier league would be too much for possibly the slowest player in the league. However, his reading of the game proved to easily compensate for it… most of the time. While he is the CB that is least comfortable with the ball at his feet, having cleared the ball 160 times this season, (30 more than anyone else) he also had the highest pass percentage of any defender this season, at 92%. One of the reasons for this is the fact that he is always willing to play the simple ball, more often than not a 10 yard pass straight to Arteta ahead of him.
Carl Jenkinson:
Massively improved. The young Englishman picked up enormous criticism last season for some of his performances, namely his sending off in the infamous 8-2. This season he has been called up for the England national team. His work rate is something that has never been in doubt, nor has his commitment to the team. Filling in for Sagna at the start of the season, he showed how much he had come on as a player in the previous 12 months. His best performances were probably against Manchester City and Bayern Munich at the Allianz. He was constantly pressing players, calmer on the ball and always there to cover the centre-backs if needed. It was not a perfect season for him, there were dodgy performances, as to be expected, but overall, proved that he was a valuable member of the squad, and if not yet, will soon be ready to be the first choice RB at the club. He has benefitted from Sagna’s injury at the beginning of the season, and would feel perhaps a little hard done by not to be played more after Sagna has had possibly the worst season of his Arsenal career. Let’s not forget this interview with Geoff Shreeves.
Massively improved. The young Englishman picked up enormous criticism last season for some of his performances, namely his sending off in the infamous 8-2. This season he has been called up for the England national team. His work rate is something that has never been in doubt, nor has his commitment to the team. Filling in for Sagna at the start of the season, he showed how much he had come on as a player in the previous 12 months. His best performances were probably against Manchester City and Bayern Munich at the Allianz. He was constantly pressing players, calmer on the ball and always there to cover the centre-backs if needed. It was not a perfect season for him, there were dodgy performances, as to be expected, but overall, proved that he was a valuable member of the squad, and if not yet, will soon be ready to be the first choice RB at the club. He has benefitted from Sagna’s injury at the beginning of the season, and would feel perhaps a little hard done by not to be played more after Sagna has had possibly the worst season of his Arsenal career. Let’s not forget this interview with Geoff Shreeves.
Bacary Sagna:
Worst season yet. As it turns out, two broken legs is not ideal for the career of a professional athlete. Nor is constant speculation over your future at the club. Nor is seeing everybody that you have enjoyed playing with leave and win trophies. It is understandable, to some extent, as to why Sagna’s heart hasn’t really been in it this season. However, most of those things were true this time last year (bar a couple of departures and one broken leg). His fault for the United goal at the Emirates was a moment that typified how far he has fallen, he completely misjudged the tackle on Van Persie and gave him the opportunity to draw level. Any other season and it would be hard to imagine Sagna having showed such a lack of composure. His most noticeable good performance was, oddly enough, playing as a centre back in the Sunderland game. With current French champions PSG keen on getting him to play there, it would not be at all surprising if he were to be tempted by the offer of money and success. He has been our most consistent player of recent seasons, but perhaps his time has come.
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