Arsenal end of term report

The current squad assessed at the end of another ultimately fruitless season



Arsenal end of term report

Hleb - seems to have a mental block in attacking areas


With the Champions League over for us for another year and the Premier League now gone as well, I thought it would be a good time to look at the first-team squad we have and assess the players one by one. The general consensus on the Online Gooner Forum and amongst other fans that I speak to is that we really lack quality outside our best 15 or so players. It is difficult to argue with such statements in view of the facts set before us in recent weeks. At a time when the squad was needed, we were found lacking. Here is my view on the players Arsenal currently have at the club:

1. Jens Lehmann
Jens has been particularly hard done by this season. He got injured following a couple of mistakes at the beginning of the season and Almunia came in and did okay. The Boss refused to change back to Lehmann on the grounds that Almunia had done nothing to be dropped. Fair enough, perhaps. But when Almunia came back from injury Wenger chose to drop an in-form Lehmann straight away. Jens has his moments of madness and is often quick to speak his mind. For me he is Arsenal's number one keeper, and we might just have won the title with him in goal these past few weeks. I suspect he will leave in the summer, and he will go having cemented his place among Arsenal's great goalkeepers. Thanks Jens, one of The Invincibles.

2. Abou Diaby
A disappointing season, punctuated by a series of injuries. Diaby has found himself out of position on the left a lot and that has not helped him. If he can play in central midfield next season he might be of sufficient quality. Worth another year.

3. Bacary Sagna
One of the players of our season. Sagna has been outstanding and is set for an excellent future at Arsenal. You could see how important he is from the implosion that resulted when he had to go off at Chelsea. Quick, strong and very good in the air. I hope he doesn't regress next season as many youngsters do.

4. Cesc Fabregas
Amazing start to the season. Should be made captain next season, and told that the team will be built around him. He is out on his feet at the end of this season due to the lack of depth.

5. Kolo Toure
Kolo has been poor since coming back from the ACN. He shouldn't really have displaced Senderos on his return. It is clear, as it was this time last year, that Toure and Gallas cannot work as a partnership. Therefore one of them cannot play every week, which probably means that one will have to go. Toure is young enough to improve further, but he needs the specialist help that Keown used to give. That is the key – bring in Keown to run the defence, as he did in 2006 when we went to Paris.

6. Philippe Senderos
Poor old Phil. He was outstanding while Kolo was away, and our dip coincided with him being left out. Unfortunately for Senderos he is prone to error, and his gaffes are always high profile. Probably not good enough at the highest level. Time to go, perhaps.

7. Tomas Rosicky
Always injured. We appear to miss him as much as anyone else but, when you think about it, how many games has he directly influenced the outcome of? It's a difficult one, but I think he has next season to prove himself, or else be shown the door.

9. Eduardo
One of the most natural finishers you can see. I doubt he can ever come back to the top level. The only saving grace is that he wasn't especially quick in the first place, so potential loss of pace through a terrible injury is not a factor.

10. William Gallas
Surprising choice as captain. Seemed to lead the boys well before Christmas. I suspect that the Birmingham incident will be what he is judged on. Can't work with Toure, so one of them will probably leave. Gallas is over 30, so it should be him.

11. Robin Van Persie
If only he could stay fit for nine months. The best footballer at the club.

13. Alexander Hleb
For two months at the start of the season he was the man who ran the show. Unfortunately he has gone back to the sideways passing, non-shooting player we have seen before. After this amount of time he should have adapted to the English game. Sadly, Hleb seems to have a mental block in attacking areas. I have never seen an attacking player with so little desire to score a goal. I think his time is up and he should be sold.

15. Denilson
Struggled after a promising introduction last season. Injuries have not helped him. He might be out of the door in the summer, but I'd like to see him have another season and develop physically. Certainly has bags of ability, and is not afraid to make a tackle.

16. Mathieu Flamini
Outstanding. I never thought Flamini had this in him. His passing has improved infinitely and his energy levels are second to none. I wonder, still, when he comes up against people like Essien, Gerrard etc, whether he has the physical attributes necessary to protect Fabregas. Hasn't signed a contract yet, so I think he is on his way out, sadly.

17. Alex Song
Limited chances this season. Very impressive when playing at centre-back. Strong as an ox and will not be bullied. Excellent for Cameroon. Decent back-up player, and still very young.

19. Gilberto
The model professional. Too many supporters have got on his back this season when he has played. We should remember what the man has achieved at Arsenal. An excellent player for us, one of The Invincibles. Certain to leave in the summer. Thanks Gilberto.

20. Johan Djourou
Nightmare spell at Birmingham. Not had a look-in since coming back. I like Djourou, I think he is an excellent footballer, but perhaps struggles defensively. Probably going.

21. Lukasz Fabianski
Did well in his early games, but mistakes at Tottenham leave you wondering. The fact that Almunia is considered number one perhaps tells a story. Wenger has not done too well with his goalkeepers (except Lehmann) so perhaps this lad is another who will not develop as we hope. Will still be here next year (possibly as number one).

22. Gael Clichy
Has run himself into the ground this season. The best attacking full-back in the country. Still has lapses defensively, but he is young and will only get better. Far better player than Cole was at his age, and a far better player than Cole is now.

24. Manuel Almunia
Arsenal's Number One - God help us. Not good enough to be a first choice keeper. His reading of the game and concentration is extremely poor. Good shot-stopper – but then all goalkeepers should be. Just signed a long-term contract; I was hoping he'd be collecting his cards and leaving. If he is still first choice next season we cannot win the League.


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