Pradeep Kachhala
As another season ends I have given myself the esteemed duty of handing out ratings - just so everyone can disagree with me and start discussions that will roll over the next 3 football-less summer months. That is the problem with years ending in odd numbers - there is never a World Cup or European Championship to keep you occupied.
The criteria for rating isn't overly strict - more or less I take a figure between 1 and 10 "that just seems right" for a player. I will exclude those who made an odd appearance but didn't play even a handful of games such as Ignasi Miguel, Vermaelen or Tom Cruise, heck even Jens Lehmann.
Anyway here goes - oh and just remember it is purely subjective so don't abuse me too much on the feedback!
Almunia - first the good: came on in the Nou Camp with Szczesny injured and kept the scoreline respectable by blocking a number of superb shots. Now the bad, and Oh, it was very bad! Moments of madness away at West Brom along with ineptness at home against the same team. I can go on but it depresses me... simply not a keeper worthy of any top flight team in Europe and it was actually unfair for the manager to retain his faith in such a player. Surely must be sold or given away. 3/10
Fabianski - started with an error vs Spurs in the Carling Cup and we looked on in horror as Wenger gave him an opportunity as Almunia spent time out with yet another mystery injury following howlers at the weekend. Based on past appearances he didn't fill us with much hope but improved as he was given a run of games. His performance at Eastlands amongst others should be highlighted. Cost us 3 points when he famously flapped a simple catch gifting a goal to Andy Carroll (helping Newcastle add another £10m to his fee prior to his move to Liverpool) proving he still can't really be trusted as a No 1 Injury didn't help when Szczesny mischievously, and in a rather Machiavellian ploy, "kicked" the ball too hard at his fellow Pole. Will be interesting to see how long he is prepared to sit on the bench next season... 5/10
Szczesny - I can now spell his name so he gets half a point just for that. A breakthrough season and if he were in goal against WBA home and away and Newcastle at home we may have had a few more points on the board. Still prone to the odd error such as The Carling Cup Final and his form took a slight dip, but mature beyond his years and provided he improves could be the No 1 for the foreseeable future. Great at one on ones, doesn't drop catches and you get the feeling he is a bit mad - which is always good for keepers. Needs a better back four in front of him. 7.5/10
Sagna - a return to some sort of form for the French right-back. Like Szczesny one wonders how much more he would improve with defenders around him with the same ability. Not as good going forward as he was in his first season but one to keep during the (hopeful) summer clearout. 7/10
Koscielny - from French League 2 (so League 1 or old division 3 equivalent) to the EPL is a massive leap and at times it showed. To be fair I don't think Wenger expected him to play as much but his hand was forced due to the injuries to Djourou and the Verminator along with the poor form of Squillaci. Played better with the former rather than the latter, had some awful moments against Drogba and El Hadj Diouf, along with an ability to give away silly penalties and a failure to communicate with his defence. Strangely his best games were against the better teams - awesome at home against Barcelona and Manchester Utd. So although it sounds like a train wreck there just may be huge potential - however he needs to get stronger and fight for his place when we (fingers crossed) buy some better defenders. 5.5/10
Djourou - during the middle parts of the campaign he was our best player, but pressure told at key points toward the end of the season - especially at set pieces against Stoke and Bolton. On the plus side he actually managed to play some games, he was missed when he came off injured at Newcastle and came back from a potentially season ending shoulder injury. However, I’m still not convinced and without sounding like a broken record he should be third choice in a group of 4 defenders rather than one of the first names on the sheet. Can improve with better personnel around him and possibly a decent defensive coach. 6/10
Squillaci - see Stepanovs, Igor: Senderos, Phillipe: Cygan, Pascale. Another name on Wenger’s list of bad central defenders. Not built for the EPL, he never looked at ease. For someone with experience ( and let’s be honest we thought he was a good acquisition when he arrived) he was poor positionally, at heading the ball and at set pieces, not to mention constant communication errors with fellow defenders. Contrary to popular belief I believe that he will stay next season and like Sylvestre before him, prop up the Carling Cup sides and be called upon during the almost inevitable defensive injury crisis of 2012. 3/10
Clichy - if he was a car he would be a TVR, great in straight lines but poor at handling corners and not really made of strong stuff. His stats are abysmal, for someone who calls themselves an attacking full back I believe his assists are in the single digits for this season. Cannot cope with balls over the top, and often gets beaten on his blind side. The positive is that he LOOKS like a good player to outsiders so let’s hope he doesn't sign a new contract and we flog him for silly money. 5/10
Eboue - the joke’s up, I don't want to boo him and I don't see him as a cult figure. Likeable as he may be he is neither a competent right back nor a winger. Liverpool at home summed up how much of a liability he is. Show him the exit door - another who never fulfilled early potential. 4/10
Gibbs - too young to be given the left back slot, along with an injury record as long as the BFGs arms. I stated in a previous column that he should replace Clichy but this may be a tad hasty as he isn't great defensively. If I were really bold I would put Vermaelen as a left back and buy Hangeland and Samba to shore up the centre. Again let Gibbs fight for his place rather than give him the LB slot on a plate if/when Clichy goes. 5/10
Fabregas - Not as good as previous seasons partly due to injury and maybe also attributed to having more than one eye on joining his Masa pals at the Nou Camp. Still vital though when fit and one of the few players in the EPL who can unlock a defence with one pass. Those hamstrings need a good rest and perhaps he will come back better next season.. Would I sell? Not really especially as it hurts quite a bit that every captain we appoint seems dead set on leaving since Adams retired. 6.5/10
Song - we've only got one, but hopefully he will have some of the burden taken away with Frimpong, Ramsey and maybe a Scott Parker helping out next season. Overly reliant on a player of defensive ilk who popped up with a number of important goals this season. Didn't do too much wrong but is never going to set the world on fire. 7/10
Diaby - An enigma wrapped in a riddle. One day sublime, another awful, to such an extent that I have given up on hoping one day he will be the midfield driving force. This along with a poor injury record mean that by next season if not already, the like of Ramsey, Wilshere and even Frimpong will be ahead in the pecking order. Not physical enough for someone so tall and got into a right strop at Newcastle - which possibly cost us 3 points. Would be better off in Italy or Spain i.e. anywhere as long as it isn't near the Emirates. Hopefully he will move on but I have a feeling he may stay for another season until he realises we have better players ahead of him. 4/10
Wilshere - rightly voted player of the year on the official website and very much the future of Arsenal and yet embodies the spirit of players from bygone eras. Technical ability matched with an English attitude, never afraid to "get stuck in" while a match for the great Xavi and Iniesta against Barcelona at the Emirates. Thankfully he will get a rest this summer ahead of another massive season, where fingers crossed he will improve further. If he can now add a few goals to his ability.... perhaps if Cesc goes we will not miss him as much? Good to follow on Twitter too. 9/10
Ramsey - just gets in mainly due to a promising game against Man Utd at home. Seems to have recovered from his horrific injury, next season is one full of promise. Cannot really justify a rating though, just looking forward to him and Wilshere playing together.
Denilson - is there a more unproductive midfielder in the EPL? The Sun article summed up his attitude and over inflated ego, never did anything for us and the sooner we rid ourselves of him the better. 0/10
Nasri - a season of 2 halves. Brilliant up to January and pretty average after. Remains a key player capable of changing a game single handedly. Is he better on the wing or in the middle? Is he more effective without Fabregas in the side? I still think he is better on the flanks but has the Arsenal habit of opting to pass when a shot is on, whilst one would certainly have him and Cesc in the same team. The key worry is that he has not signed a new contract and could have become fed up with the lack of strength and depth of those behind him. Fingers crossed he stays and re-signs because if he can produce the first half from of this season for the entire next campaign we will stand a chance of landing some silverware. 7.5/10
