Arsenal's Player of the Season

[Skizz]

With 4th place now (just about) assured, and 3rd place (just about) out of reach, it might be a good time to discuss Arsenal's best players this season. While we haven't had the best of years (again) we have seen some progression from certain players, and I'm interested to see what everyone's opinion is of who has been the shining light this season.

I propose we have a Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season (players under 23).

My choices would be:

Player Of The Season
1. Cesc Fabregas
He hasn't scored that many this year, but he has continued to deal with the burden on his young shoulders excellently. Performed consistently well even when in desperate need of a rest, and is now a key player in our starting XI.

2. Gilberto Silva
Definitely ran Cesc close, but just shaded it. He has been excellent along with Cesc in midfield. Consistent, brings a calming influence to the side, and MAN did he get his scoring boots on in the first half of the season! Captains the side brilliantly in Henry's absence.

3. Kolo Toure
I wondered at the start of the season if he would be able to cope as the "leader" of the backline (without Campbell that is). He has been impressive - although he did have the odd lapse in the middle of the season. Cares passionately about winning and you can see it rubs off on his team-mates.

Young Player Of The Season
1. Emmanuel Adebayor
Much as people slate him, I think in years to come he will become an integral cog in the side. He brings something that has been missing to the front line, has led the line well in the absence of our more established strikers, and has improved from last season significantly.

2. Gael Clichy
Really slotted in well following A-Hole's departure. Runs his legs off for 90 minutes, can make a tackle, and is everything we need in a left-back for our style of football. Will be better than A-Hole in a few years.

3. Emmanuel Eboue
Excellent player and definitely talented, he would probably be higher up this list if it weren't for the diving and feigning injury and starting trouble...

I am prepared for criticism for my choices, but I would be interested to know everyone else's as well! :)

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Gilberto Silva for me. He held the team together and scored some crucial goals. I don't think Fabregas has had that good a season (for a variety of reasons) and he does not deserve to be named above Gilberto.

[NightHawk]

Player of the season for me is Fabregas and young player would be Clichy. Clichy in particular has been exemplary, improved his defending and considering it's his first full season as our first choice left back there are many more better seasons to come from him.

[kanonier]

Fab is a clear choice, but it's tough to pick a "young player" award, because that's more than half the team!

Van Persie would be my second choice for player of the year, despite the injury.

[wwnyc]

cesc

just look at the impact he had after coming on vs. the spuds.

he deserves a break over the summer. he never missed a match.

[FabregasTED]

Teams built around Cesc will win championships. Take heed spain.

2nd place: RvP. His injury was our most devastating this year...including Henry IMO.

[ASkergonan]

Bert for me. He kept things in check in a constantly changing side.

Clichy for YP. Has been superb for much of the calender year.

[RealMadGunner]

The Beast is not even mentioned ?! ;)

[akofman12345]

1. Cesc (No explantion needed really)
2. Gilberto (scored way more then anyone could have predicted, and has helped the sometimes struggling defence)
3. v. persie (if he didnt get injured he would have been at 18-20 goals in the league which would have been more then predicted)
4. Kolo (has played non-stop, solid in the back, and coped well without Sol)
5. Flamini ( just absolutly loved his fight this year. probably doesnt deserve to be mentioned, but took advantage to the oppurtunities given to him)

[Miles Brasher]

Fabregas for me.

I know the flair players always get picked, so I'd like to pick Toure or Gilberto, but the noticable difference that Fabregas makes to our team when he comes on means it has to be him.

Other awards,

Getting your head down and keep working hard when things don't go your way award

Adebayor. His relief and enjoyment at scoring on saturday was brilliant

Getting back in the team and replacing the world's best left back award

Clichy, quietly doing really well.

He's behind you! award

Eboue, most likely to be appearing in pantomine over xmas for his over-acting

Most generous in giving gifts to the crowd, specifically footballs that should be in the net award

Baptista. Score, you prat!

We're sure you're really good at your job but WTF ? award

This goes to the Arsenal and England Physio, Gary Lewin.

[Skizz]

I don't think I disagree with any of those awards, except Bap's award should be renamed "The Igor Stepanovs Award for Sack of Shit of the Year".

[flyerhawk]

I would go with Silva. He was a steadying presence on a very young team.

[Gooner_for_Life]

Senior player has to be Kolo or Gilberto for me.
Kolo, easily one of the best CB in the world, what more needs to be said.
Gilberto, held down the middle of the park, sometimes the middle of the D, and even popped up on the attacking end with a few goals.

Young player
Cesc, hands down. I dont really think this needs any justification.

All of these players were by far our most consistent all season long as well so that is a positive to all of them.

[GoonerMan]

what would u prefer to have? a bucket of sh!t or Julio Baptista?

[red & wite army]

Its really hard to say between Cesc and Gilberto.

Gilberto really got us through tough parts and really stood up to be counted as captain, especially around Christmas time. Without him in the team we would most definitly have been worse off...obviously.

With Fab, he just makes things work in the team and has changed numerous games for us, getting us the points.

I simplay can't decide!:o

[Schu419]

I don't think Fabregas has had that good a season (for a variety of reasons)

can you elaborate? It'd be hard to be argue that Arsenal's fans are blindly going by emotion with choosing Fabregas as our best this year - he's scored in only 3 games this year, and none were particularly important. He's simply one of the best CMF's out there in the field general role. Could he have done better at points, and perhaps overall in the season in regards to goals (and could you argue Bert was a better player)? Surely, but even Cesc's imperfect season this year has been a lesson in midfielding.

[rojagooner]

he's scored in only 3 games this year, and none were particularly important.

Bolton match?

[deaner1971]

For me:

Player

1. Gilberto: really filled in when needed. Scored when we were lacking and yeoman's service both as DM and as CB when we were needy defensively. Defined team play and showed well as captain.

2. RvP: injury cut short what was a great season in the offing. Light years' improvement in eye for goal and aggressiveness. The fact that his injury created greater "what ifs" than did Henry's indicates that RvP has turned the corner and is finding his role.

3. Toure: see "Gilberto". Also, the player in the back to truly show fire. A full year partnered with Sir Bill and "best central defense in the league" may become a given. Will need to show similar strength next season if we are transitioning to a new keeper.

Young Player

1. Clichy: how many years were we told that he was the replacement to Dickface if he could just stay healthy? This year he validated every claim. Pacey and developing better instincts, his play was superb. If he can develop his crosses or scoring touch, teams will be forced wide more and more and quality across the front will improve without adding an expensive target man.

2. Cesc: unfair to not include him as the best "young" player just because he plays five years older than he is. Good year and if his last two games become the norm next year, we will compare him more to the prime years of Pires and Freddie than to Vieira.

[Smalls123]

what would u prefer to have? a bucket of sh!t or Julio Baptista?

How good is this bucket's first touch?

[phishy]

Kolo Toure.