Arsenal Player Of The Season

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2010/11 Player Review: Alex Song

Alex Song - Arsenal’s powerful defensive force and one of the most consistent performers throughout the 2010/11 campaign.

Arsène Wenger revealed early on in the season that Alex had stepped up his efforts on the training ground and was reaping the rewards on the pitch. It would be hard for anyone to disagree.

Alongside Jack Wilshere, the Cameroon international was his usual solid self in front of the Arsenal back four from August to May. He even added potency to his game with three goals in as many matches in October. A last-gasp winner against West Ham underlined Alex’s goalscoring threat when he did break his defensive shackles.

His partnership with Wilshere and the pair’s understanding would prove to be the backbone of the Arsenal side. When Alex attacked, Jack stayed back. When Jack went forward, Alex would sit deep.

A knee injury kept the midfielder out of action for the whole of March - a month that saw Arsenal eliminated from the Champions League, the FA Cup and lose ground in the Premier League title race. Make no mistake, Alex was missed.

The protection he offers the defence and his imposing presence will again be crucial when Arsenal push for honours in 2011/12.

SOUNDBITE
“I started pre-season a week earlier after the World Cup. I worked hard and it helped me a lot, and I have improved on the pitch. I think I did well last season but I really wanted to show I could do more this year, so I’ve really been pushing myself.”

FINEST MOMENT
Alex powered home a last-gasp winner against West Ham to end 88 minutes of Arsenal frustration and spark pandemonium inside Emirates Stadium. It appeared to be ‘one of those days’ for Wenger’s side before he met Gael Clichy’s inch-perfect cross with a diving header following a lung-bursting charge into the visitors’ six-yard box.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...view-alex-song

Had a bit of a shocker tbh. Time for Parker to come in

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2010/11 Player Review: Vito Mannone

Despite his involvement with Arsène Wenger’s first-team squad during pre-season and a penalty save against SC Neusiedl during the Club’s tour of Austria, Vito Mannone found opportunities hard to come by at Arsenal.

As a result he spent the second half of the 2010/11 season on loan at Hull City.

Vito joined the Championship side on a short-team deal in October and was initially expected to return to Arsenal in January. But the 22-year-old excelled at the KC Stadium and didn’t experience defeat in seven games before the deal was extended until the end of the season at the start of January.

Vito endured a two-month spell on the sidelines with a thigh injury but returned in April to help Hull to a 3-1 win over Doncaster, pulling off a series of vital saves. The goal he conceded in that victory was only the sixth time he had been beaten in more than 13 hours of football.

Hull took 21 points from the ten games the Arsenal loanee featured in before a shoulder problem ended his season prematurely in April.

SOUNDBITE
"If the boss wants to give me a chance I am ready for it. If not, I will carry on in a positive way. I am very young so I am open to everything. I didn't expect to play nine games last year. I am ready to train hard and give my best."

FINEST MOMENT
Vito made a fine save to deny Juraj Skripec from the penalty spot as Arsenal completed their Austrian training camp with a straightforward 4-0 victory at SC Neusiedi. The Italian dived to his left to make a wonderful stop.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...w-vito-mannone

His finest moment of the season didnt even happen during the season

Arsenal.com

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2010/11 Player Review: Theo Walcott

Ahead of the 2010/11 season, Theo Walcott vowed to “get out there and show people what he can do” following a stop-start 2009/10 and his disappointing omission from England’s World Cup squad. He certainly did that.

Theo went on to enjoy his most productive season since joining the Club and saw his game scale new heights. He was one of Arsenal’s best performers with 13 goals from 25 starts a reward for his hard work in pre-season. He demonstrated a more clinical touch in front of goal and also weighed in with numerous assists for team-mates.

Arsène Wenger continued to deploy the England international in a wide role but Theo also netted with counter-attacking bursts through the centre, notably in the Carling Cup win at Newcastle.

His good early-season form was disrupted when he hurt his ankle while on England duty and he had to settle for a place on the bench when he returned to fill fitness. But it wasn’t long before Theo’s searing pace and potency in front of goal got him back in the Arsenal side.

A clinical finish against Chelsea on a rapturous night at Emirates Stadium and an excellent performance at Upton Park, where he scored one and set up two for Robin van Persie, showed the progress he had made.

Whether through the middle or on the right wing - expect to see Theo taking his game to new levels next season.

SOUNDBITE
“I’m happy with what I’ve given to the team and think I’ve learned the game more. I’m putting in balls for people to gamble on which I think they are getting used to, so hopefully that will continue and I can keep on improving. I'll play anywhere for Arsenal but it's nice to know the manager has got hopes for me playing up front.”

FINEST MOMENT
Theo scored one goal and made another as Arsenal registered a significant 3-1 victory over Chelsea on a spine-tingling night at Emirates Stadium in December. He laid on the ball for Cesc Fabregas to put Arsène Wenger’s side two goals ahead before racing clear and thumping home a third shortly after.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...w-theo-walcott

One of our few bright points of the season

[Master Splinter]

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...craig-eastmond

One of our better young players. Hope he makes it

It's as if you say silly things on purpose..........

[Cripps_orig]

2010/11 Player Review: Carlos Vela

Although we saw glimpses of Carlos Vela at his best, 2010/11 would prove to be a season of frustration for the Mexican who struggled to make an impression on Arsène Wenger’s side.

A sublime finish to cap a fine Arsenal move against Bolton in September and a typically classy double in the rout of Braga suggested he was ready to fulfill his huge potential. Carlos had the backing of his manager, who declared that the striker was mature enough to lead the attack, but the emergence of Marouane Chamakh meant that starts were hard to come by.

Wenger sought a temporary move for Carlos to get him games and he joined West Brom in January to continue his development and gain further first-team experience in the Premier League.

The striker scored two vital equalisers to help steer Roy Hodgson’s side to safety, netting a last-gasp leveller against local rivals Wolves and then snatching a late point in an away trip to Stoke the following week.

Arsenal fans will be hoping Carlos can get among the goals in the red of Arsenal next season.

FINEST MOMENT
Carlos came off the bench to grab a sublime double and complete the rout against Braga in the Champions League. A typical dinked finish gave him his first and Cesc Fabregas laid on a second as Arsenal romped to a 6-0 victory.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...ew-carlos-vela

Time for him to go. Epitomises Wengers failed youth project

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2010/11 Player Review: Tomas Rosicky

Following his injury troubles of the previous two seasons, Tomas Rosicky enjoyed his longest spell in the first team for a number of months at the start of the campaign.

The midfielder played an important role in helping Arsenal remain unbeaten for the opening two months of the Premier League and also captained the side to Carling Cup successes at both Tottenham and Newcastle.

The Czech international was again given the armband against Shakhtar Donetsk and Aston Villa in the absence of Cesc Fabregas and played important roles in away wins over Wolves and Everton.

He continued as captain with Fabregas sidelined in December and slotted in behind the lone striker against Fulham, Manchester United and Wigan.

Tomas scored his first Arsenal goal since January 2010 when he headed his side ahead at Leyton Orient in the FA Cup and went close to giving Arsenal the lead with a low half-volley in the Carling Cup Final. The last few months of his season were disrupted by injury.

FINEST MOMENT
Tomas stooped to head home Nicklas Bendtner's deft cross at Leyton Orient in the FA Cup - just days after netting for his country. The strike at Orient was the Czech midfielder’s first for Arsenal since January 2010 and the nature of the strike even surprised Tomas.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...-tomas-rosicky

Very talented player but not the same since his injury.

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2010/11 Player Review: Samir Nasri

If the 2010/11 season had finished in January, Samir Nasri would probably have been Footballer of the Year.

The French midfielder was simply outstanding in the first half of his third campaign with Arsenal as his game scaled new heights, thanks in part to a rare summer break following his shock omission from France's ill-fated World Cup adventure.

Samir's game has never been just about goals but his improvement in that department was striking. He found the net 14 times by the middle of January having mustered a dozen in his first two years.

And these were no tap-ins - his brace against Fulham and exquisite finishes at Manchester City, Aston Villa and Birmingham all made the shortlist when we ran our Goal of the Season poll.

When he wasn't scoring, Samir was pulling opponents this way and that with his close control and ability to carve out chances for others. Indeed, the 23-year-old assumed the mantle of Arsenal's chief creative force when Cesc Fabregas was laid low by injury.

The major prizes eluded Samir - both individually and collectively - but he did earn a spot in the PFA Team of the Year for his efforts in the first half of the campaign. If he can deliver the goods for a full nine months, greatness awaits.

SOUNDBITE
"I don’t care if I’m second or even the best player in the league, I would have preferred to win the Premier League. I have won nothing since I became a professional at Marseille - I have always lost in the final or finished second in the league."

FINEST MOMENT
Too many teams caused Arsenal problems at Emirates last season and Fulham looked capable of springing a surprise in December - until Samir intervened. The Frenchman opened the scoring with the coolest of finishes that left three opponents flailing. Diomansy Kamara matched that but Samir had the last word when he latched onto Robin van Persie's pass to slalom through two challenges, round Mark Schwarzer and squeeze the ball in from a narrow angle.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...ew-samir-nasri

Cunt. Enough said

[Joker]

It's as if you say silly things on purpose..........

Yeah Eastmond is just shit IMO. Whenever he's played he looks fucking useless.

[milla]

Yeah Eastmond is just shit IMO. Whenever he's played he looks fucking useless.

Eastmond, Randall, Denilson and Lupoli are just plain shit

[Master Splinter]

Eastmond, Randall, Denilson and Lupoli are just plain shit

Lupoli hasn't been here for years . And Randall has been released. The other two are unlikely to be here in August either.