Arsenal season and player review 24/25

[21_GOONER_SALUTE]

The only fair way to sum up this season is with two statements “I’m glad it’s finally over” and “it could have been a lot worse given injuries, refereeing decisions etc”

The Real Madrid win served to be a gold filling in a mouth full of rotten teeth. And it wasn’t just the results it was the football…we need to find a different approach (especially at home) against teams that are just going to give us the ball, sit back and try and take us on the counter attack (commentators going on about how we need to sort out defensive set pieces, when in reality it wasn’t an issue at all until we lost Gabriel)


So what I’m going to do is give each player who has played a mark out of ten and whether they should be kept for next season


David Raya 7

Ideally a goalkeeper should be taller (a few players have lobbed him this season) and he needs to work on his distribution which is putting us in danger. But he’s saved pels and he’s made some absolutely top saves.

Keep

Neto 3

Not worth any higher as I can’t remember him playing more than one game this season and he gave away a ridiculous goal in that

Don’t Keep (he’s going back to Bournemouth so academic anyway)


Timber 7.5

He’s arguably displaced Ben White as first choice right back, I don’t think he links with Saka as well as White and he seems to be a bit of a card magnet but he’s been a consistent performer this season

Keep

White 6.5

Has never been able to stay fit to get a consistent run in the side to get his form and fitness up. I think he’s still an invaluable member of the squad.

Keep


Saliba 7


I think this has probably been his worst season with us out of the three, I think without Gabriel there next to him he’s prone to making mistakes and dithering on the ball. Definitely want him to stay, but equally want better from him next season

Keep


Gabriel 8

One of our top performers up until the time injury took him out. Had a bit of a shaky start to season but very quickly put that behind him


Keep


Kiwior 7.5

Actually did very well to fill in for Gabriel given he’d hardly played this season before hand. Left sided centre half is clearly his best position, and I think he’s done more than enough to prove he’s a benefit to the squad

Keep


Calafiori 6.5

Again couldn’t stay fit, showed glimpses but could sometimes find himself done for pace. Good technical player, could be useful in squad going forward


Keep


Zinchenko 5

Barely played and used more in midfield when he was, given his wages I don’t really see need to keep him as he’s often a liability…let him go


Don’t Keep



Tomiyasu

Not even worth giving a score to as he’s played half a game this season, it’s absolutely ridiculous. I don’t think he’s a bad player…actually very useful defender but no point if he’s never going to play

Don’t Keep (although I suspect we will as won’t be able to sell him)



Myles Lewis-Skelly 8

I wasn’t overly impressed at first, but his confidence and his professionalism have been top rate. Perhaps a tad impetuous at times in the tackle, but certainly not a dirty player. I think the inverted full back thing is a load of shit but it works for MLS as he has a nice burst of pace in the middle of the park

Keep


Tierney 7

Never more than an unintended bit part player, though that’s far less of a reflection on Tierney than it is Arteta. When he has played he has never put in a poor performance and the goal was a good way to cap his time with us

Don’t Keep (academic as he’s going to Celtic)


Jorginho 6

Hasn’t really had the game time that he has the previous season and a half, shame that his time with us ended with injury. But actually have to say he’s been a decent addition to the squad for the time he’s been here


Don’t Keep (academic as he’s already going)



Rice 8

Still adamant that although I’ve given him an 8 that’s not where his future should be…you need a far more creative minded player in that role. Rice offers energy (if not pace), tenacity, effort and leadership in spades though and it’s hard to think of many games where he’s been outright poor.

Keep

Merino 7

I’ve given him that high a mark because he played for a long time in a totally unfamiliar position and did relatively well, as a midfielder though?? What purpose does he serve, he’s just not any good at it. The reason Rice is playing frequently at 8 is because Merino can’t be trusted there.

Don’t Keep (especially if Partey extends his stay with us)


Partey 7.5

He was clearly a big miss in the first leg against PSG, and in some ways it exposes Rice’s shortcomings in his absence. Though the absence was of his own stupid making, it’s hard to know how much we can rely on him because this was a freak season for him in terms of his availability but it makes sense to keep him

Keep


Odegaard 5

The goal yesterday won’t change the fact that it’s been a shocking season for him, frankly he’s hidden when we’ve needed him which is cowardice. If not for the fact that we have few enough attacking midfielders to begin with I’d be minded to get rid of him as his performances this season have been shameful

Keep


Martinelli 6.5

Towards the back end of the season he’s performed well, taking his full back on and causing real danger. But that’s not enough, I know he was out for a month but he’s got to start performing where it really matters. He needs a younger player to come in and really challenge him for the position, then I think we will get the best out of him

Keep


Trossard 7

Like Jorginho has proven to be a useful addition to the squad at a time where it was needed, like Jorginho I think his time at the club needs to come to an end. I think too often this season he struggled for form, I give him credit that if anything he was guilty of trying too hard at times (although at times equally he was trying to be flash and that annoyed the fuck out of me). I think the longer he stays, the more he becomes a passenger. He’s done a good job, let him go with our gratitude

Don’t Keep


Nwaneri 7.5

Hasn’t had quite the same impact as MLS, but in many ways that’s because he’s not had the same number of games, I think he’s better off as an attacking midfielder than as a winger, but he’s got a promising future with us

Keep


Saka 7.5

It’s clear that he hasn’t come back to full fitness after a long time out, he really needs a period of not playing where he comes back fresh next season so hoping that knock yesterday means he drops out of the England squad (although he carried on after it so probably not)


Keep (obviously)



Havertz 7

I felt it was often harsh that fans got on his back for missing chances, he was still making himself available for chances despite these misses and that takes balls….we put far too much pressure on him to get us goals this season and we broke him. Bringing in a striker should hopefully be a plus for him

Keep



Jesus 6

Showed a few instances of what he might be capable of if he stayed fit and consistent, but really more of a death rattle than a promise of things to come. Think we will struggle to shift him, but we should at least try to do so


Don’t Keep



Sterling 3

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha


Don’t Keep (obviously)

Probably the best ratings you've done since I've been on here.

Your Merino analysis surprised me a bit, especially as he ended up being the most important new boy and playing a pivotal part in trying to rescue this wretched season, but TBH, once we get a proper striker he will be pointless, especially if we keep Partey and Arteta gets his wet dream with Zubumendi.

It's really telling how all Arteta's signing last summer didn't improve us.....in fact the likes of Sterling (who I must hold my hands up to say I supported) clearly brought the general levels/standards down, despite the minimal disruption (they were only 3 FFS!!). This is without even considering the players he chased out.

Anyway, your ratings for players this season were fair, and I generally agree with the list that should leave, but would definitely also add Havertz and Martinelli to it.