Five Players of the season
By Randy Osae
Manuel Almunia
To my consideration, Almunia has been an indispensable figure in defense since stealing Jens Lehmann’s place last season.
He is not on par with the Buffons, Kahns and even Cechs though. Almunia still has a handful of flaws in his stride – especially how he welcomes balls from long-range and chips. Sometimes he hesitates off his line too much.
But this man’s athleticism is key. For me, Almunia is one of the best divers in goalkeeping and this season, it was his ability to stretch far and tip away some well-curled shots that let us off on some occasions.
He was almost indomitable with penalty kicks also – meeting efforts from Obafemi Martins and Ashley Young from 12-yards out superbly. Add to that his heroics in Rome.
And if you have easily forgotten how he single-handedly narrowed the margin of defeat at old Trafford in April, then go back and praise our number 1.
Bacary Sagna
Arsenal defenders scarcely attract taps on the back, but this man deserves it.
He did look a bit shabby throughout the run-in after returning from the injury that kept him out of the FA Cup semi-final, but I can boldly say, I never saw Sagna put a foot root wrong for the better part of the season.
There were times that you were simply irritated by seeing the face of a member of Arsenal’s defense, but Bakary was just an exception.
Tackles, clearances, , cover on the right wing, attacking aid with crosses – Sagna did it all.
And his acrobatic goal-line clearance at Aston Villa will always stand out in our minds.
Samir Nasri
At the start of the campaign, Nasri pretended to be that prolific midfielder but you still don’t have to look at his decent total of 7 goals to laud this summer signing.
Do you remember sometime in June and July when were all refreshing websites because of this man? The “Nasri to Arsenal” saga – if you can remember – was way more protracted than Arshavin’s.
This Marseille-born man though, was very reliable this season. He emerged as the main midfielder architect in the long absence of Fabregas and showed versatility in the latter part of the campaign when deployed in a defensive role.
Also when he did score, it was for a massive price.
This boy could be a leader, mark my words.
Robin van Persie
So apparently, this is what a full season of Robin van Persie can deliver?
Well, then Wenger better convince him to sign that new contract quick for more of those campaigns.
And if you judged him by his 20 goals, then remember, he could have had more. No other player in Europe hit the post more than this man. That was about 8 times.
He always appeared as the only man who hated to lose among the team. And indeed, there was a time (at the beginning of 2009) when every single Arsenal goal was either made or scored by him.
This man was our solitary match winner of the season. When it all went wrong, he would carry us back in.
Andrey Arshavin
Arshavin is on this list because he had a major hand in why Arsenal will still be involved in the Champions League next season. His signing brought back the belief that we have the knows of pipping Villa for fourth place.
When we visited Anfield on the back of a demoralizing FA Cup semi-final defeat -which he was wrongly denied participation by Wenger – Liverpool could have disgraced the Gunners for the little they had in them, but Andrey Arshavin acted like a mother for the team.
And there is more to what he influenced on this team within three months. Remember, we don’t lose when he plays.
Andrey has been an outstanding addition for not just the club but the Premier League in a whole.
At last, someone who can join Van Persie in the primadonna (in a good way), match winners category in the squad.
I disagree with any selection of top performers without the inclusion of SONG. For me he was the most consistant and improved player in the entire ARSENAL TEAM for the just ended season.
@ Momo
I agree with you. I’ve read a lot of blogs who do not include Song in their Arsenal team of the season. Song has been instrumental this season. If anything he has been our most developed player this season.
We all have to remember that Song did not start the season with us, he was out representing his country Cameroon, while our season started. He has a slow start in the team when he got games, but as time went on, he surpassed Denilson in his education.
Song has also proved he is versatile at DM and CB. We can aslo remember his solo goal he scored earlier in the season.
I hope we can all remember what Song as done for this team.
I also want to give praise to Eboue. He got stick from the fans and he came through it a stronger player. He even scored 2 goals in one game and was even played at left back and gave a brilliant display.
Adebayor can learn from Eboue and Song and take the criticisms and channel that to win the fans over by showing more desire for the team.
Sagna? Nearly. But I’d have to go with Song. Of all the players, Gibbs included, that have improved to permanent first-team stature, Alexandre Dimitri Song Billong has been the stand out candidate.
What’s more is that I’m absolutely certain we’ve not seen the very best of him yet.
He’s one of those players on the match-day team sheet, that I’ve started to look out for peace of mind.
There’s no higher praise than that.
My picks:
Song (most improved player).
Almunia. Lacking leadership qualities. And I perceive him as having a weak personality. But he still is a good keeper!
Denilson – The stats back him up. He’s only going to get better!
Arshavin – nuff said!
Song only emerged notably at the business end of the season and I can recall many of you categorizing him with Eboue and Diaby for the premeir part of the season.
I agree with your selections, Randy.
I have to agree on the comments of A.Song,he has improved immensely so much so that at certain stages i thught he hould have been the first person in tha starting line-up and with him palyin well we did start to see Cesc of old,so i would have him in there in place of Sagna not that Sagna has been bad but because he has dropped a notch compared to his first season.
Denilson looks to be heading down the route of being an unsung hero,whih is sad to hear but the kind of job he does its good to be anonymous
My 5 selection:
Song-improve a lot and versatile.
Almunia-comes a long way since Lehmann and an England prospect.
Arshavin- inspirational.
Gallas-his game improved although strip of captaincy.
Sagna-ever reliable.
.
i agree with 4 of ur top five. i would put gallas or denilson instead of sagna. but other then that, i gree with u mate.
My top 5:
1: Almunia
2: Denilson
3: Nasri
4: Gallas
5: Van Persie
5 top dissapointments:
1: Adebuyor
2: Diaby
3: Eboue (Although since he returend from the ban he was good)
4: Fabrigas
5: Clichy
yeah randy how did u miss song out?
we will never ever win any trophy with denilson. his passing is poor and that won’t ever get better, i was hoping for that all season long and everytime he disapointed me. the only games he played accaptable were against the lower teams..
my top 5:
1. nasri
2. gallas
3. v persie
4. sagna
5. song
my best player of the season are robin van persie,andrie ashavin,bacary sagna, alexandre song,gibbs