On a slightly related topic, did anyone bother adding up the old MOTM thread?
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On a slightly related topic, did anyone bother adding up the old MOTM thread?
Should get Yoss to do it...Quote:
Originally Posted by The Wengerbabies
:haha:Quote:
Originally Posted by Ach
Classic.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/reserves...iew-james-sheaQuote:
2010/11 Player Review: James Shea
A surprise ‘call-up’ to train with Fabio Capello’s England squad, a regular spot in the Reserves, an eight-day loan spell at Southampton and a place on the bench at Old Trafford - it’s fair to say it has been a whirlwind season for James Shea.
The young goalkeeper had yet to represent the second string this term when he helped Capello and his players, who were training at London Colney, with their preparations for a Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria in August.
He quickly became first-choice for Neil Banfield’s Reserves and turned in some impressive displays, going on to make 11 appearances during the season. Shea provided valuable first-team back-up to Wojciech Szczesny in the New Year with Lukasz Fabianski and Manuel Almunia sidelined by injury.
His development was rewarded with a contract extension in February.
He joined Southampton on a temporary one-month deal soon after but spent just eight days on the south coast before being recalled by Arsenal due to an injury to Szczesny. The 19-year-old was quickly drafted in as Almunia’s deputy for a trip to Manchester United in the FA Cup and took his place on the bench.
Highly regarded within the Club, expect to see Shea continue his progress with a slightly longer loan stint next season.
SOUNDBITE
“I wasn’t nervous [at Old Trafford] to be honest. I just try to see it as playing a game of football with my mates. I felt quite cool, calm and collected but it was amazing. I remember watching Arsenal versus Manchester United games when I was younger and I always thought I would love to be there one day.”
FINEST MOMENT
Shea was the first player to run out for his warm-up at Old Trafford and received a magnificent reception from the travelling 9,000 Arsenal fans before taking his seat on the bench.
They are really clutching at straws with the finest moment comments on some of these players
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...ndrey-arshavinQuote:
2010/11 Player Review: Andrey Arshavin
Andrey Arshavin will be the first to admit that he wasn’t at his sparkling best in 2010/11. But that’s not to say we didn’t seen glimpses of the diminutive Russian’s undoubted pedigree.
Who can forget his goal against Barcelona on that famous night at Emirates Stadium? How about the measured volley that was the catalyst for Arsenal’s fightback against Everton? Or his goal that emphatically killed off Tottenham in the Carling Cup?
While conceding that the forward at times struggled for form, Arsène Wenger was the first to defend Andrey who, pointing out that he “can always deliver something special”.
After starting the campaign well with five goals in nine appearances, Andrey suffered a mid-season dip and lost his first-team place at the turn of the year. But he still went on to rack up over 50 appearances and weighed in with ten goals from the left of Arsenal’s front three.
After a difficult winter, Andrey was back to his brilliant best in February with a crucial strike against Everton. Then against Barcelona in the Champions League he produced, as he described it, a “career-defining moment”.
If he can recapture that type of form next season, Andrey will no doubt be key to Arsenal’s challenge for honours.
SOUNDBITE
"To score against Barcelona for any player is a very crucial moment, maybe in your career. It doesn't happen a lot, especially [because] it brought a win.”
FINEST MOMENT
Never one to shy away on the big stage, Andrey curled home Samir Nasri's cut-back with seven minutes remaining to give Arsenal a 2-1 victory over Barcelona and spark pandemonium inside Emirates Stadium. That strike, and the celebration that followed, will live long in the memory.
Play him in his right position and hes the best player in the league by quite some distance.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/reserves...onor-hendersonQuote:
2010/11 Player Review: Conor Henderson
After missing the first month of the season through injury, Conor Henderson continued his development as a regular in the Reserves and was rewarded with his senior debut in an FA Cup replay against Leyton Orient in March.
Playing on the left of the Arsenal midfield, the teenager played the full 90 minutes at Emirates Stadium and excited fans with his obvious technical ability.
Although that was to be his only taste of first-team football, Conor continued as a mainstay in the Reserves, making 13 appearances.
His only goal of the campaign was a trademark free-kick against Wolves as Neil Banfield’s second-string battled back from two goals down to rescue a point.
SOUNDBITE
“It was nice to play the whole game and it was a really nice occasion. I was a little bit nervous before we were walking out but not as nervous as I thought I would be. The players encouraged me and that really helped.”
FINEST MOMENT
Conor impressed on his first-team debut against Leyton Orient, slotting seamlessly into the team on the left flank and showing off his cultured left foot.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...rouane-chamakhQuote:
2010/11 Player Review: Marouane Chamakh
Before Christmas, Marouane Chamakh was being talked about as one of the best signings of the season.
Though he may have run out of steam during the second half of the campaign, his contribution in those opening few months ensured a solid start to the Moroccan’s Arsenal career.
The striker signed from Bordeaux early in the summer and took to the Premier League like the proverbial duck to water, scoring headers against Blackpool and Bolton as well as forcing a point-saving error from Pepe Reina at Liverpool on the opening weekend of the season.
Marouane led the line tirelessly in the absence of Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner in the notoriously demanding top flight and scored ten goals in his first 17 starts - a highly creditable return given he was still getting accustomed to life in England. And all this was in addition to his unselfish, energetic front-running.
If anything, Marouane was the victim of his own success after raising expectations with a flying start to his maiden season in English football. He struggled in the New Year and Van Persie’s superb form limited his opportunities.
But expect the Moroccan to be back stronger and back among the goals in 2011/12.
SOUNDBITE
"It's gone really well with the set-up here, I hardly knew anyone when I arrived but they all made me feel very welcome. It has been easy to settle in and this has allowed me to express myself and that's very important. Personally, I'm happy. I can do better but yes, I am happy."
FINEST MOMENT
Marouane scored a brace to give Arsenal a welcome 2-0 win away at Wolves in November. He opened the scoring with a header after just 38 seconds - Arsenal’s quickest goal of the season - and sealed the victory in injury time.
Think he'll be much better next season. Hoping his form before Xmas is shown next season throughout the season.
Yeah, I actually quite like him. He showed in patches what he can do. Unfortunately I think he's a confidence player, and that's what lets him down. Maybe Bender can teach him a few things about arrogance before he fucks off.
He did have a bit of a shocker after Xmas but people seem to be forgetting that he hardly played due to RVPs great form and Wengers retardness of only playing 1 up front.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...craig-eastmondQuote:
2010/11 Player Review: Craig Eastmond
Following his breakthrough season of 2009/10, Craig began the campaign with aspirations of cementing a place in Arsène Wenger’s squad.
His good form for the Reserves was rewarded with three first-team appearances before Christmas, including a first outing in the Champions League when he was named in the starting line-up for a Group Stage match against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Craig headed into his own net to give the hosts an early lead but recovered well and put in an assured display in the ‘holding role’ alongside Jack Wilshere at the heart of the Arsenal engine room.
But opportunities proved to be limited and, after making ten appearances for the Reserves, Craig joined Millwall on loan in January.
The midfielder made his debut in a 2-0 win against Barnsley the following week but struggled to break into Kenny Jackett’s side as they pushed for a play-off place. He made four starts and two substitute appearances before his season was ended in April when he sustained a small fracture to his fibula in training.
Though places in the Arsenal midfield may be hard to come by, don’t be surprised to see Craig force his way into the reckoning at the start of next season.
SOUNDBITE
“I hope I did what Arsène Wenger wanted me to do [against Shakhtar]. I tried to put the own goal to the back of my mind and play the way I play.”
FINEST MOMENT
Craig’s performance on his Champions League debut in the hostile atmosphere of the Donbass Arena showed maturity beyond his tender years.
One of our better young players. Hope he makes it