Very many thanks to the 1,900 or so who took both the time and effort to complete our Annual Gooner Survey and I include those comedians amongst you whose nominations were occasionally somewhat less than serious. Your voting was as varied as ever but as inevitably happens some sort of overall consensus was reached and the subsequent voting figures have been calculated and summarised below for your entertainment, bemusement, possible approval and comment.

The results, much like the season itself, contained numerous gripes and a rather dissatisfied undertone that has been quite clearly taken out on certain individual players. As I suppose of course is the norm with us football fans. All percentages have been rounded up or down to avoid brain death and a few spoilt ballot papers excluded from the results.

Arsenal Player of the Season 2008/09
1. Van Persie 30%
2. Arshavin 29%
3. Almunia 15%
4. Nasri 9%
5. Song 6%

As the spread of voting perhaps indicates there was no obviously and indisputable stand-out candidate for the 2008/09 season. Robin top-scored, had a major hand in numerous other goals and perhaps more importantly featured less often in the treatment room for a change, so few could dispute that he is a deserving winner. But our newly acquired Russian genius ran him very close which is testament to his telling impact since arriving, not to mention his quality goals, clever assists and classy skills. Good also to see that the fans are coming around to an appreciation of our number one, there's a lot less clamouring for a replacement than last season. Also fairly prominent in the voting were both Nasri and Song who can both hopefully kick on and be even more prominent in the upcoming season.

Most Disappointing Arsenal Player 2008/09
1. Adebayor 52%
2. Diaby 20%
3. Silvestre 15%
4. Eboue 5%
5. Denilson 4%

I think we'd all agree that there were far too many players that disappointed us last season. Eboue certainly had his moments and at one stage could almost have been classified as public enemy number one. Denilson pleased some whilst annoying others, personally I thought he did quite well. I can't claim to be disappointed with Silvestre at all because I wasn't expecting very much and got pretty much what I anticipated. While Diaby's season was at best mixed and he often flattered only to deceive.

But as the large percentage of nominations suggest it has to be said that Adebayor was by far the most serious let down. We all know he suffered from injuries (caused by lugging his wallet around perhaps?) but not half as much as we suffered from his supreme lack of effort. Having had just the one good season his ego outstripped his ability, he strived for a fatter wad rather than the team and his body language screamed 'I don't give a shit'. Doubtless he'll come back to haunt us, they usually do, but doubtless also we'll all laugh hysterically when he fluffs it with his left peg and is caught offside for the twentieth time in a match.

Most Improved Arsenal Player in the last 12 months
1 Song 57%
2 Gibbs 26%
3 Almunia 10%
4 Walcott 5%

It's always pleasing when a youngster comes good, perhaps even more so when some cretins have written them off. I was at Craven Cottage in 2006 when Alex Song was unceremoniously and unmercifully barracked by numerous away fans and it wasn't a very edifying occasion for those involved. So I'm particular delighted with the progress made by young Alex and agreeably impressed by his improved contributions both at the back as a central defender as well with his forays in midfield. A very worthy winner who may have been run much closer had Kieran, our find of the season, played more matches. That Manuel also received some recognition for his showing in a difficult season also bodes well for the future.

Best Team Performance of the Season
1. Man United (H) Premier League 2-1 46%
2. Villarreal (H) 3-0 20%
3. Chelsea (A) 2-1 18%
4. Sheffield United (H) Carling Cup 6-0 12%

The four matches named above were all highly enjoyable as well as being impressive displays but I think most would agree that there were nowhere near enough great performances from which to choose. That a Carling Cup side should feature at all shows up the paucity of fine team performances over the season. And while it's always a great pleasure to beat United it's real a shame we only did it the once. Maybe this coming season eh?

Worst Team Performance of the Season
Man City (A) 0-3 37%
Man United (A) Champions League 0-1 17%
Aston Villa (H) 0-2 14%
Fulham (A) 0-1 13%
Stoke (A) 1-2 10%

There's a clear winner here despite the annoyingly wide choice from which to choose. I don't happen to agree with the selection for worst performance but do believe this particular sorry performance in Manchester said so much about the season. We may have been missing nine players that day but that was really no excuse for such an abject display against a very average team or the thrashing that could easily have been very much worse. Thinking back on the above matches it is still annoying to recall just how really piss poor we were in all the five games that topped the poll.

Most Frustrating Injury Time Equaliser 2008/09
Tottenham (H) 4-4 84%
Liverpool (A) 4-4 10%
Aston Villa (A) 2-2 6%

I'm sorry but the steam is still coming out of my ears at the very recollection ... so it’s probably best to move swiftly on to happier memories and avoid an absolute avalanche of profanities on my part.

Best Arsenal Goal 2008/09
Eduardo vs Burnley (H) FA Cup
Arshavin's 2nd vs Liverpool (A)
Adebayor vs Villarreal (A)
Arshavin's 4th vs Liverpool (A)
Van Persie vs Liverpool (H)
Nasri's 2nd vs Man United (H)
Walcott vs Villarreal (H)

No matter how good the season we've always been provided with some classy goalscorers and classic goals under Wenger. Last season was no exception with six different goalscorers in the top seven places. That two from Arshavin came in the same match bodes well for the coming season and would suggest he has settled in really well.

Whichever goal was your own particular favourite it would be difficult to argue that Eduardo's was not a very worthy winner. Just in case you don't recall it the winning goal was a decent move that included Song, Diaby, Arshavin, Gibbs and a final pass from Song. Then an outrageous volley using the outside of his heel by Eduardo. Stunning is an understatement. Here's to loads more outrageous strikes from our Croazillian this coming season.

Best Goal Against Arsenal 2008/09
Geovanni for Hull (H) 48%
Senna for Villarreal (A) 26%
Bentley for Spurs (H) 16%
Keane for Liverpool (H) 5%

It so often happens that someone you really, really don't want to score against you does just that and last season proved to be no exception in that respect. But let's not dwell on that but rather talk about the winning nomination instead.