Arsenal Player Of The Season

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2010/11 Player Review: Kieran Gibbs

Injuries and the form of Gael Clichy restricted Kieran Gibbs to 20 appearances during the 2010/11 season but, from what we saw in those games, it is only a matter of time before this highly-rated left back is pushing for a regular starting spot.

After making his England debut in a friendly against Hungary in August, Arsène Wenger assured Kieran that he would get his chance in the first team. That opportunity arrived in the Carling Cup against Tottenham but injury saw him limp off with what Wenger feared was a broken metatarsal.

A scan showed no fracture but Kieran suffered yet more bad luck as he was withdrawn after just 18 minutes during the 4-0 Carling Cup win over Newcastle with another knock before being stretchered off against Partizan.

He returned to full fitness in January and enjoyed a run in the side, playing four times in cup competitions. Clichy’s consistency kept Kieran on the bench during the second half of the season but an injury to the Frenchman saw him start Arsenal’s final three games.

If he can stay injury free in 2011/12, there is no doubt the England international will be challenging to make a place on the left of the Arsenal defence his own.

SOUNDBITE
“I just want to stay injury free and stay on top of my fitness. It has been hard - I won’t lie - it’s been annoying and frustrating seeing your team play all the time, going there and limping off after 15 minutes. It’s been frustrating but I have got a few games under my belt now so hopefully I can put that behind me and keep going.”


FINEST MOMENT
Kieran made his England debut as a half-time substitute in a friendly against Hungary in August. The Arsenal defender impressed at Wembley and helped Fabio Capello’s side to a 2-1 victory.

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http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...w-kieran-gibbs

Who does this for the website? Gibbs was shite last season

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2010/11 Player Review: Wojciech Szczesny

With the honourable exception of Jack Wilshere, no one matched Wojciech Szczesny for progress last season.

The 21-year-old wasn't even Arsenal's first-choice Polish goalkeeper when the 2010/11 campaign got underway - that honour was Lukasz Fabianski's - while Manuel Almunia was the No 1. That spot is now Wojciech's and he will take some shifting.

The young Pole was fortunate to a degree as Almunia and then Fabianski succumbed to injuries, but the manner with which he took his opportunity struck a chord. Wojciech is not short on confidence and why not? He clearly has the potential to be a world-class keeper.

Strong, commanding, assured and blessed with superb reflexes, Wojciech looked right at home in the Premier League from the moment he made his top-flight debut - at Old Trafford of all places. Indeed, without him Arsenal would have surely lost by more than one goal that night in December.

By then Wojciech had put pen to paper on a new contract and his loyalty was soon rewarded with a run of 14 consecutive games that was only ended by a freakish finger injury in the Nou Camp.

It wasn't all plain sailing: the 21-year-old was involved in the defensive mix-up that cost Arsenal the Carling Cup at Wembley. But while other players would have been shaken to the core, Wojciech picked himself up, dusted himself off and didn't let it affect him.

That strength of character - allied to his undoubted talent - will hold him in good stead in 2011/12 and beyond.

SOUNDBITE
"A decade as No 1 is my target really, that's my goal. I would love to [do that] but I know I have a few others that want to have the No 1 shirt. I'm going to have to be at my very best to keep it. There is very good competition at the Club so I can't say there is no threat. If there is any slip-up or drop in my performance, other goalkeepers will be happy to take my place."

FINEST MOMENT
Wojciech effectively saved Arsenal from the earliest of FA Cup exits in January. Leeds led 1-0 at Emirates Stadium thanks to Robert Snodgrass' penalty and the visitors piled on the pressure in search of a second goal. They should have got it but Wojciech showed superb reflexes to push aside a close-range volley from Luciano Becchio in front of the Clock End. Buoyed by their keeper's heroics, Arsenal hit back and forced a replay with a last-ditch penalty from Cesc Fabregas.

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http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...ciech-szczesny

Did ok but a new keeper is needed

I dunno, his sheer agility and size makes him very useful to us and he has the right attitude but given his inconsistency at the end of the season I'd be inclined to consider bringing someone in or even just giving Fabianski the spot again if Szczesny becomes a liability.

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2010/11 Player Review: Denilson

Denilson missed the start of the 2010/11 campaign with a groin problem and, when he finally recovered his fitness, the meteoric rise of Jack Wilshere kept him out of the team.

Deployed in a deeper role than in previous seasons, the midfielder was limited to just six Premier League starts with Wilshere and Alex Song the preferred pairing in front of the Arsenal back four.

A three-match suspension for Wilshere opened the door for the 22-year-old in November and Denilson impressed in back-to-back away wins over Wolves and Everton. He instigated the move that led to Cesc Fabregas' goal at Goodison Park and also allowed Song to get forward and head a late winner against West Ham while in the side.

He played in all six of Arsenal’s FA Cup games as well as playing every minute of the run to the Carling Cup Final, though he was an unused substitute at Wembley.

SOUNDBITE
"It’s true [that it took time to regain my sharpness]. And after coming back late I also had to be patient, because many players were ready to play. I waited for my time and played, say, 15 minutes here and there. The boss always talked to me about how things were going and, most importantly, I’m ready to contribute fully.”

FINEST MOMENT
Denilson started the flowing move that saw Cesc Fabregas double Arsenal’s lead against Everton at Goodison Park. The Brazilian led a breakaway and fed Marouane Chamakh, who set up Fabregas to fire a snapshot past Tim Howard and put Arsenal on their way to a 2-1 away win.

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http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...eview-denilson

He will be missed

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2010/11 Player Review: Lukasz Fabianski

At the start of the 2010/11 season, Lukasz Fabianski spoke of his determination to win over the fans after a chequered start to his Arsenal career.

The Polish stopper went on to produce his best ever form in a Gunners shirt as he briefly made the No 1 spot his own. Only injury prevented him from challenging for that spot in the final months of the season.

After starting the campaign on the bench Lukasz was the beneficiary of an injury to Manuel Almunia and took his chance with aplomb, making vital saves at critical moments against Manchester City, Wolves and Everton to win the Gunners crucial points on the road.

Criticised for a handful of errors in 2009/10, Lukasz continued to turn heads with a string of solid displays. Confident, commanding and assured, he soon became a key figure in the Arsenal side.

Then, during his rich vein of form, Lukasz suffered an elbow injury in January that ended his season prematurely allowing Wojciech Szczesny to establish himself between the posts. But if Lukasz can reproduce the form he was in, Arsenal’s two Poles look set for an intriguing tussle for the No 1 spot during 2011/12.

SOUNDBITE
"I just felt happy to be playing regularly every three days. I was enjoying that and I just want to keep working hard and keep playing as best as I can. It's not only with me, every player is like that - if he plays regularly his confidence grows and he feels more comfortable on the pitch.”

FINEST MOMENT
Marouane Chamakh may have scored twice in Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Wolves at Molineux but is was Lukasz who was mobbed by his team-mates on the final whistle. The Pole produced two sublime saves - one from Kevin Doyle and another from Christophe Berra - very late on to keep the Gunners’ one-goal lead intact before Chamakh added a second deep into stoppage time.

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http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...kasz-fabianski

Great game at Wolves admittedly. Bit shit otherwise.

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2010/11 Player Review: Gael Clichy

Gael Clichy retained his position as the Club’s first-choice left back in 2010/11.

The Frenchman was a virtual ever-present from August to May and was his usual reliable self on the left of Arsène Wenger’s back four. We even saw Gael double his goal tally in an Arsenal shirt with a thunderbolt of which Robin van Persie would have been proud in the FA Cup replay against Leyton Orient.

Gael remained a dependable presence in defence but as ever he got forward too. It was his inch-perfect cross that set up an 88th-minute winner for Alex Song against West Ham, while Van Persie latched onto a searching pass to score against Barcelona.

Kieran Gibbs continued his push for a first-team spot for much of last season but Gael’s consistency kept the England international on the bench.

SOUNDBITE
"You need to be really strong at home, that's the first thing, and then be strong away from home. This year, we maybe did the opposite but we know we have the quality. To win against Chelsea the way we did and to win against Manchester United show the quality is there."

FINEST MOMENT
Gael scored his first ever goal at Emirates Stadium and only his second in 255 games for the Club when his vicious strike put Arsenal 5-0 ahead against Leyton Orient.

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http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...ew-gael-clichy

Bye

farewell to all that sailed on her

cheers Cripps that list of names would not look out of place with a wreath of red poppies laid at its foot:rose:

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2010/11 Player Review: Sebastien Squillaci

After experienced centre backs William Gallas, Sol Campbell and Mikael Silvestre all left over the summer, Arsène Wenger drafted in Sebastien Squillaci to reinforce his defensive options. The Frenchman’s knowhow would prove useful.

Laurent Koscielny, a fellow Premier League debutant, and Johan Djourou both helped to fill the gap left by Thomas Vermaelen’s injury but it was Sebastien who led the way during the opening months of the season, marshalling the defence in the Belgian’s absence.

As with all new recruits, Sebastien took time to find his feet but he was named captain at Stamford Bridge on only his sixth appearance for the first team - recognition for a low-key but accomplished start to life in English football.

Djourou and Koscielny were the preferred central pairing after Christmas but Sebastien was on hand when called upon and even popped up with the winning goal against Stoke to keep Arsenal in the hunt for the title in February.

A shoulder injury to Djourou in March left Sebastien as one of just two fit central defenders in the first-team squad for much of the title run in, when he renewed his partnership with Koscielny.

SOUNDBITE
“I think it helped [that I was a relative unknown when I joined]. Adapting-wise, I knew that it [English football] would be physical with some good sides, playing good football. The strikers are big and strong and it is a great contrast with Spain where the strikers are faster and not so strong.”


FINEST MOMENT
On a tense night at Emirates Stadium days before the Carling Cup Final, Sebastien’s early header secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Stoke. Jack Wilshere fired over a corner from the right that was touched on to Nicklas Bendtner at the far post. He returned the ball into the six-yard box for Sebastien to nod home from close-range.

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http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...tien-squillaci

Was ok before Xmas but like most, had a shocker after it. Expect better from someone as experienced as him but playing with shite like Jo Djo and Kozza will make anyone shit tbh

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2010/11 Player Review: Johan Djourou

It seems strange to talk of a 24-year-old enjoying a 'breakthrough season' but that's exactly what 2010/11 was for Johan Djourou.

The Swiss defender made his Arsenal debut as long ago as October 2004 but, despite showing plenty of promise, his progress at Emirates Stadium has regularly been checked by injury. Knee surgery sidelined Johan for all but 28 minutes of the 2009/10 campaign and some wondered whether he would ever realise his obvious potential.

Johan allayed those concerns last season, emerging as Arsenal's most consistent centre back in the absence of the injured Thomas Vermaelen. The Swiss is still learning his trade but his height makes him an aerial force, his recovery pace allows him to sweep up effectively and his midfield background means he is technically sound.

Johan made 37 appearances in total - more than he managed in the three previous years combined - and forged an impressive partnership with new signing Laurent Koscielny. The Swiss must have been doing something right - Arsenal did not lose a Premier League with him in the side between November 22, 2008 and April 24, 2011.

Last season also brought Johan his first goal in an Arsenal shirt. He soared above the Newcastle defence to head home Andrey Arshavin's free kick at St. James' Park to give the visitors a 2-0 lead. They of course led 4-0 at half-time and it's no coincidence that the second-half collapse began after Johan had limped off with a knock.

He equipped himself well against the best when David Villa and Lionel Messi came to town and ended the season on a personal high after helping Switzerland to a 2-2 draw against England at Wembley.

Back in the international fold and back in the Arsenal red, Johan can go from strength to strength next term.

SOUNDBITE
"I sometimes took a break [from watching football when I was injured] because when you're watching games you just think 'I wish I was playing' and it's not really good for your head. It was a nightmare. I mean for a footballer, for anyone that loves what they're doing, to be unable to do the thing you love is just a handicap. That's the sort of thing you realise, how lucky you are to be living your profession. Because as a professional that's the thing you love and it makes you realise that when you're out it is difficult and how fortunate you are to be playing the game."

FINEST MOMENT
February's trip to Newcastle is one Arsenal would like to forget but it did include a milestone for Johan. He has waited a long time to open his Gunners account but soared to meet Andrey Arshavin's free-kick and head Arsenal into a 2-0 lead.

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http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...-johan-djourou

Very average player. Should have kept Senderos and sold Djourou

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2010/11 Player Review: Nicklas Bendtnet

Nicklas Bendtner endured a frustrating campaign in which his opportunities were limited by the arrival of Marouane Chamakh and then the return from injury of Robin van Persie.

Despite spending his formative years as a centre forward, Nicklas found himself stationed on the right of a three-pronged attack but he was still among the goals.

The Dane put a long-standing groin problem behind him to return to action in September and found the net with two well-taken finishes against Newcastle and Manchester City.

Nicklas continued to have plenty of joy in his wide role and made the crucial breakthrough against Ipswich in the Carling Cup Semi-Final after drifting in from the flank. He also fired his second hat-trick in an Arsenal shirt to help see off Leyton Orient in the FA Cup.

SOUNDBITE
"I have a lot of feelings for this Club and I have been here for a long time. It’s pleasing to show the manager, every time you play, that you are ready and he can have confidence in you.”

FINEST MOMENT
Nicklas produced a moment of magic to break Ipswich's resolve in the Carling Cup Semi-Final second leg at Emirates Stadium, bringing down Jack Wilshere's raking pass and cutting inside a defender before curving a shot into the far corner.

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http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...cklas-bendtner

Would like to congratulate Bendtner. From now til the end of time, whenever the queston of "who is Arsenals worst ever player?" is asked, he will be at the forefront of peoples minds.

One of the worst players of all times. Add to that his attitude and he is simply awful. If we get any money for him then its a miracle