Here we are, looking back at another season that has unfortunately been plagued by injuries, but we have just about managed. It’s a shame for some of those who may otherwise have sneaked in to my team of the season, but these are the players I think deserve to be named Arsenal’s best XI:
Szczesny:
This one picks itself. He’s been between the sticks for the entirety of the Premier league season and the majority of the Champions League campaign. He’s kept fifteen clean sheets in the Premier League and despite a few shaky performances, namely against Chelsea, he has continued to improve his game and cement his place as Arsenal’s number one.
Fabianski hasn’t played enough to be considered, however he has been outstanding when called upon. He played brilliantly against Bayern Munich and has kept goal all the way to the FA Cup final. I hope he keeps his place for the final and lifts the FA Cup before he departs Arsenal in the summer. Let’s hope he finds himself as number one at another big club. He deserves it.
Sagna:
Unfortunately, it looks like he will be on his way this summer. He has been a great servant to the club and has remained fiercely loyal, despite our tough run without a trophy. He has had another solid season at right back and it’s never a position I worry about when I see his name on the team sheet. Thank you Bac.
Koscielny and Mertesacker:
Koscielny’s partnership with Per Mertesacker has continued to blossom this season and has no doubt aided Szczesny with his fifteen clean sheets. What Mertesacker lacks in pace, Koscielny makes up for and their positioning and awareness is finely in tune. Courtesy of some heavy defeats to Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City, their defensive record has suffered a little. That said however, they have helped turn the Emirates in to somewhat of a fortress, conceding only eleven goals at home all season.
Gibbs:
He has been on and off the field again this season, suffering a few knocks and setbacks, but he has improved greatly. When Monreal has had to step in to cover, Gibbs’ importance to the team has become unquestionably apparent. He is very good defensively and his pace going forward, coupled with his ability to put a good ball in to the box means he helps the team in attack as well.
Flamini:
I have chosen Flamini over Arteta largely because of the job the two of them have largely been tasked with this season. They have had to play deep and protect the back four, and Flamini has done it better. It is a little harsh on Arteta as that isn’t his natural role, but he has seemed to be a little of pace this season. Flamini has his flaws, most notably his almost unrivalled ability to pick up yellow cards. However, he has provided us with the physical presence we have needed in our midfield and he has done the dirty work well. He even popped up with the equaliser against City.
Ramsey:
It was either Ramsey or Wilshere and for me, it has been no contest this season, particularly when he has combined with Özil. If he had stayed fit, our season may have been much different. He has been a revelation, playing thirty games in the Premier League and Champions League combined, scoring fourteen goals and assisting a further nine; quite a season for the young Welshman.
Cazorla:
Cazorla has had a long, long season. He has featured forty-four times in all competitions this season. Despite only scoring 6 goals, he has continued to be the creative spark we’ve needed, particularly at times when Wilshere, Ramsey, Chamberlain and Özil have been missing. On top of that, I can’t get enough of his mesmerising footwork. He has gone missing in a few games, but without him, we would really have struggled.
Özil:
He has had a tough season moving to the Premier League and adapting to life in London, but he’s done well. He has looked fatigued and absent in a number of games this season, but it is expected, and people have judged him harshly. He has contributed to seventeen goals this season, scoring six and assisting eleven. We have seen glimpses of his class and I have no doubt that next season he will prove all of his critics wrong.
Rosicky:
Rosicky, like Cazorla, has been somewhat of a saviour this season. With injuries to so many of our midfielders he has been asked to step up, and he has delivered. His introduction in to games has seen the tempo rise instantly and his speed on the ball for a thirty-three year old is phenomenal. On top of that two of his three goals this season have come against Tottenham.
Giroud:
Much like Szczesny, Giroud picks himself. He is our only proven striker and he has had to carry a lot of weight on his shoulders this season. I, like many others, have found myself getting frustrated with him from time to time, but it really isn’t his fault. He has featured in forty-eight games so far this season and has netted twenty-one goals. When you consider the abundance of strikers other clubs in the league can choose from, Olivier has done a fantastic job leading Arsenal’s line by himself this season. Hopefully he can grab a couple more goals in our remaining games this season.
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So, that is my Arsenal eleven of the season. I don’t like leaving out players such as Chamberlain, Walcott and Wilshere, but sacrifices must be made. Maybe they would be in yours? Let us know in the comments section below.
Photo via Ronnie Macdonald