Mikel Arteta
The 33 year-old Spaniard, has endured a campaign blighted with injury in his first year as team captain.
When Arteta was signed from Everton during that transfer deadline day back in 2011, he was initially deployed in his natural favoured position as a box to box midfielder. Then as early as the following season, Arsene Wenger began to use the Spaniard as more deep lying midfielder.
We began to see a more reserved player in Arteta, who began to score more penalties than open play goals. In truth, the ageing midfielder was probably the manager’s best choice to perform that role at the time, and is visibly happier to make that sacrifice then say an Aaron Ramsey or a Jack Wilshere.
But it’s clear that this season he didn’t have the legs at all to carry on starting week in, week out. This is made evident in the fact that he suffered multiple hamstring injuries this campaign, before being sidelined for the rest the season.
Match fitness has been an issue for him this year, and even though he could still make the squad for Saturday’s FA Cup final, I feel it’s been a wasted season for him personally. A one year contract extension could also still be on the cards, but one doubts how effective he’ll be if he was to remain the Emirates next season.