Only 2 more games, who the **** cares about what results we get in them? Let's rate them out of 10 and suggest if they should stay, should go or should deserve more chances: Szczesny - I was hoping he would have as good a season as Hart had at his age, but he exceeded those levels. People have been too hard on him for a handful of mistakes, fact is he is the best goalkeeping talent of his age. 7.5/10 Verdict: Stay Fabianski - Was expecting him to be a disaster but actually didn't suck. Still I am not convinced that he has the mentality and reliability to be a valid long term number 1. 7/10 Verdict: Stay Almunia - LOL Almunia. 3/10 Verdict: **** off Clichy - Defensively he has been as inconsistent as he was in the past. Offensively he has deteriorated massively this season and seems more and more unwilling to go forward. 5/10 Verdict: **** off Gibbs - Obviously has talent, and Wenger is eager to give him chances to prove himself. However, numerous injures seem to have taken a massive toll in his development. 5/10 Verdict: Needs to prove himself Djourou - Surprise of the season. I wasn't expecting much after his poor games at the start of the season, but he has proven me wrong and has been solid. Until his injury in the FA cup against Utd, since his return he has looked extremely shaky. 7/10 Verdict: Stay Koscielny - At the moment looks like Vermaelen MK II, except more mistake prone and not as dominant. Still he had his moments this season and might still work out. 6/10 Verdict: Needs to prove himself Sagna - Generally solid, has improved in his delivery this season but still needs to offer more offensively. 7/10 Verdict: Stay Squillaci - At times can look ok. At other times look like a downgrade from Silverstre. 5/10 Verdict: **** off Eboue - Really has gone backwards greatly this season. Is returning to the days where he didn't seem to give a damn about what is happening on the field. 4/10 Verdict: **** off Diaby - I actually though that he has improved a lot in his passing and defending this season, to the extent that he looks like a solid player. Still, his inability to stay fit is sickening. 5.5/10 Verdict: Needs to prove himself Arshavin - Has actually looked good the past few games, is starting to rediscover his purpose for the game. But that's too little too late. Still deserves credit for the goals and assists this season. 6/10 Verdict: Needs to prove himself Fabregas - Nowhere near as good this season as he was previously, but his importance to the squad is still obvious. Without him at his best the limitations to how high we can climb is obvious. 7/10 Verdict: Stay Nasri - I actually felt that he has been getting too much love and not enough criticisms from Arsenal fans; after looking like Fabregas's replacement at the start of the season he increasingly makes me wonder why we don't phone Birmingham and ask them for Hleb back. Has certainly not been that good in the second half of the season, and I don't understand why so many fans still think he's player of the season material. 6/10 Verdict: Needs to prove himself Denilson - LOL Denilson doesn't even begin to describe what I feel about him. I am starting to think that not even league 1 clubs would want him. 1/10 Verdict: **** off Ramsey - Is slowly rediscovering his magic, still I can't help but feel that some are expecting too much from him. I am not going to give a rating for him. Verdict: Needs to prove himself Rosicky - Looks completely pass it. 5/10 Verdict: **** off Song - Some would argue that he's suffering from Wenger's stupid tactics and insistence on playing him like he's Khedira or Sahin. I do think that he hasn't been as bad as what many make him out to be but he still needs to do better. 6/10 Verdict: Needs to prove himself Walcott - I felt that he has been underrated this season, but yes his limitations are obvious. Has improved a lot this season and deserves some credit for that, but still needs to show that he has the ability to crack the defenses of Stoke or Everton and not get shut out easily. 6.5/10 Verdict: Needs to prove himself Wilshere - Player of the season IMHO, has showed us what we have been missing with Denilson and Diaby on the field. 7.5/10 Verdict: Stay Bendtner - His limitations and how he doesn't fit into our system are increasingly obvious. Can't say that he has been awful, but I just can't think of him ever being good enough to lead us in a 4-2-3-1. 5.5/10 Verdict: Needs to prove himself Chamakh - After playing so well at the start of the season what happened to him? Disappointment of the season. 5.5/10 Verdict: Needs to prove himself Van Persie - Miraculously has stay relatively injury free this season, and has been solid, but still questions over whether he can be a world class striker leading our attack remains. At times has struggled to impose himself against defenses. 6.5/10 Verdict: Needs to prove himself Wenger - Needs to ask himself where he is taking the team, and whether we are closer to the title. The amount of times we struggled to break down teams this season is sickening. 5/10 Verdict: Needs to prove himself
Almunia - 2/10 Diaby - 6/10 Sagna - 7.5/10 Fabregas - 7/10 Vermaelen - n/a Koscielny - 6.5/10 Rosicky - 3.5/10 Nasri - 6.5/10 Van Persie - 8/10 Lehamnn - n/a Walcott - 6.5/10 Denilson - 1/10 Ramsey - n/a Song - 6/10 Squillaci - 4/10 Wilshere - 8/10 Djourou - 7/10 Fabianski - 6.5/10 Clichy - 5.5/10 Arshavin - 5/10 Eboue - 5/10 Gibbs - 5/10 Chamakh - 5.5/10 Bendtner - 4.5/10 Szczesny - 7.5/10
The problem with threads like this is there's little room for dialogue. Everyone puts their list, but there's really nothing to talk about. I'll play ball I guess, but only this way... Stars of the season: Shez, Djourou, Sagna, Wilshere, Nasri and RVP. Disappointments: Clichy, Bendtner, Squillaci, Almunia
however valid your criticisms may be, its deeply offensive for you too tell players like clichy to **** off. you may want certain players like almunia or denilson to leave -- and you may have a valid point, but what do NOT have is any class. for someone spouting such vitriol against arsenal's players, why in the world do you support arsenal???
This season he started in 34 and was a sub in 8 games. Last season it's 24 starts and 2 subs. So we should count ourselves lucky that he managed to play so many games this season, in fact he would have played more had Wenger not been so cautious over his recovery. And he has done well this season, maybe I was harsh on him and he deserves a 7/10 or 7.5/10. But the fact remains that until he's as good if not better than Henry at his prime he still has a lot of room for improvement. A lot of times this season he could have and should have been more clinical in front of goal.
Almunia - 1/10 Diaby - 5/10 Sagna - 7.5/10 Fabregas - 7/10 Vermaelen - n/a Koscielny - 7/10 Rosicky - 3/10 Nasri - 8/10 Van Persie - 8/10 Lehamnn - n/a Walcott - 7/10 Denilson - 1/10 Ramsey - 5/10 Song - 7/10 Squillaci - 3/10 Wilshere - 8/10 Djourou - 7/10 Fabianski - 6/10 Clichy - 5/10 Arshavin - 5/10 Eboue - 5/10 Gibbs - 5/10 Chamakh - 6/10 Bendtner - 4.5/10 Szczesny - 8.5/10
If the yardstick by which you measure all other strikers is "Henry in his prime" you're going to be disappointed more often than not. In fact, it's quite ridiculous.
Yet if you want us to win trophies, the quality has to come from somewhere. Can you honestly say that Van Persie is a world class striker who is one of the best in europe? It's perfectly fine if he isn't at that level yet. But he still can be better, more clinical, more of a threat to defenses.
van Persie is one of the reasons we're finishing as high as we are. In assessing reasons for why we're not finishing higher, van Persie's finishing is very very low on the list. So low that's it's too ridiculous to mention. As for whether he is "one of the best in Europe".....I dunno...what does "one of the best" mean? Top five? Might be a stretch. Top ten? IMO, sure.
Chamakh was a stop-gap until van Persie can back. And how does a player who scores 20 league goals, despite missing about a third of the season, need to "prove himself"? lol..
As the guy who has started this type of thread 2 of the past 3 years, I agree with antiwhinger that telling players who certainly aren't good enough to eff off is extreme. Ashley Cole, he could go **** off, but Clichy, Squillaci, and Denilson? Hardly. While I am as disappointed in the 2 year regression of Clichy's play, he is a loyal servant of the club and he was the perfect remedy to Cashley's arrogance and his play allowed us to quickly move on from the loss of Cole's excellence. You do go to far. As for your actual rankings, I actually agree with most of them. Herewith: Revelations: Szczesny: We've found ourselves a keeper. Finally. He's young and there will still be some growing pains, but we've got our young #1. Wilshere: No surprise there, he's been as good as promised. My only concern is that Pearce will blow him out, and according to Arseblog, he wants to play in the Olympics, so Jack's not likely to get a break during the oh-too-short soccer offseasons. Nasri: Quality player and probably the most in-form player in the Premiership the first half of the season. One of too many central players we have being played wide, but that's not his fault. Koscielny: Had no idea who he was when he came here and overall I've been impressed with his play. Had a good first season, esp considering the unrest in the CB position all year and he seemed to be able to step in and play for us. I think we need another CB, but having Kos as our 3rd CB would be a great asset. As the primary with Vermaelen, well, that I'm not so sure about. van Persie: OK, he's only a revelation for me. I am officially off the van Persie must go train. He's still too injury prone for me, and I don't think we'll ever win anything with our best striker who can only give you 40-60% of the games, but he's the best we'll get with our transfer funds. And in the face of our lackluster showings, he at least gives a damn. What You See is What You Get: Cesc: Easily the team's most talented player, but he showed up for training with what, just a 3 week break after the WC. Simply outrageous that soccer players don't get a 3 or 4 month break, and after three shortened offseasons, Cesc just appeared jaded and a step slow all year. Plus he had niggling injuries which didn't help. Song: Easily the most improved player I've seen at Arsenal. However, he should be backing up another DMid. He's solid at best and we need better. Sagna: Solid year, and surprise surprise, he improved the quality of his passing. On a team full of frequently-injureds, he has the reliability of an ox, and boy, do we need that on our already depleted back line. Time Will Tell: Ramsey: Heartening display last week, easily one of the highlights of the season. Looks like he's fully recovered from his injury, and that's a great development, but really, I have no idea where he'll fit in with Song - Wilshere - Cesc midfield, esp considering that Nasri is still the next choice to play centrally if Cesc/Wilshere are unavailable. Chamakh: Started out really well and like every player, he gets more than a year to settle in and see how he'll do. I'm personally pessimistic that he'll make an impact, but as I said, he gets another year. Vermaelen: He's had a serious injury and he'll be coming back to an unsettled defense. Other than a sorely-needed aerial presence on attacking corners, I thought his play last season was good, not great. I'd still like to upgrade, but a healthy Vermaelen coming back, will be, in the words of Wenger, like a new signing. Bendtner: Seriously, why would he want to play for us anymore? He's so obviously not a winger, yet he does really try when he's out there. He was impatient three years ago, I wonder what his mental state is now. Wenger: My contention for years has been that Arsene would rather win his way than just win. I stand by that assertion. But Wenger has made us internationally relevant and a consistent top 4 side. And since I rate the Carling Cup, I heartily approve of the stronger lineups he used earlier to get us to the final. I've been disappointed with Arsene's spending, given that every statement from the board has indicated that there is money to spend. But the biggest problem with this team is that this team just doesn't play very hard. Here we were, 9 games left to play, a game in hand and a home game left with Man Utd, and we were still within striking distance of a sickly Man Utd team. And we rolled over and died. I don't think that is all on Wenger, he can't play the game after all, but if he doesn't address this lack of urgency over the offseason, well then, it is on him. Djourou: OK, he's young still and he's injury prone, and maybe I just see his weaker displays, but he ought to be a 3rd-4th CB. He may pan out, but if we're looking at young, promising, but maybe-scarred, CBs, I'd rather have Man Utd's Johnny Evans. Walcott: I put Theo here only as a central striker. I've seen enough of him as a winger to know we need better. He's got pace but he doesn't offer any width and his pace doesn't open up any space for our central players. Eboue: Healthy squaddie who regressed this year. We need utility players and last year I thought Eboue made positive contributions to the team. We need better than him, but it's hardly a pressing need and he does seem to give a crap about the Arsenal. You Had Your Chance Denilson (who I like), Diaby (who I don't), Arshavin (who I desperately wanted to come here), Almunia, Rosicky, Walcott (as a winger), Squillaci (yes, I'm breaking my everyone gets more than season to adjust rule, but we suck defensively and we just need to get better).
van persie needs to prove himself? can someone delete this thread and erase my memory of it existing?
He needs to prove he can play an entire season, but you're right, that's not what scytheavatar was inferring...
Almunia: 3/10 Duh. SELL Diaby: 6/10 Impressive towards the end of the season. KEEP Sagna: 8/10 Pretty reliable, as always. KEEP Fabregas: 7.5/10 Has been the 2nd or 3rd best player this campaign, but still essential. KEEP Vermaelen: N/A The Arsenal curse has already gotten to him, but still our best half-back. KEEP Koscielny: 6/10 Oddly inconsistent, but tough, which is what we need. KEEP Rosicky: 6/10 I'm always gonna have a softspot for Tommy. Good when we want to keep play moving and dominate possession, but ineffectual in the attack. (kills me to say it, but) SELL Nasri: 7.5/10 Very impressive at the start of the season, but kinda plateaued. Still one of the best talents, though. Just sign the damn contract already!! KEEP Van Persie: 8/10 Been good overall, but often lacks good service. KEEP Lehamnn: N/A Mad Jens? YES PLEASE!! N/A Walcott: 6/10 Hasn't done all that much this season. KEEP Denilson: 2/10 Just not intelligent enough to keep up with the Arsenal philosophy. SELL Ramsey: N/A Seeing a great return, can't wait to see him next season. KEEP Song: 7/10 See him more of an anchorman (van Bommel but without the fouling and lethargy), but did well per his instructions. KEEP Squillaci: 4.5/10 Super-Cygan all over again except for the hilarious missteps. Not worth the £6 million, but not gonna see a return should we sell, so we might as well keep him as backup. Meh, KEEP Wilshere: 9/10 Seen his brilliance this season, but needs to assert himself more to have a bigger impact on big matches. Best young talent in England by far. KEEP Djourou: 8/10 Best defender of the season. Great turnaround by Johann. KEEP Fabianski: 6.5/10 Greatly improved, but still not cutting it. But, the devil you know beats the devil you don't. KEEP (until we find someone to compete with Sneezy for number 1) Clichy: 5/10 Has nothing to offer in the final third. SELL Arshavin: 6.5/10 His performances overshadow his stats. Good for the games against mid-table teams, and we're not gonna profit from a sale. Good rotation player, IMHO. KEEP Eboue: 5.5/10 Hasn't done jack this season, but is a good utility player. KEEP Gibbs: N/A Don't really have an opinion on him, but he seems like a great talent. KEEP Chamakh: 6/10 Didn't live up to the billing, but I think he just needs to get used to the English defense. KEEP Bendtner: 3.5/10 Decent in the air, but I hate his arrogance and absolutely hate his collar pop (when applicable). SELL Szczesny: 8/10 Great surprise this season. Best young keeper in the world. KEEP Other thoughts: Henri Lansbury: having a great loan spell. Want to see him in the Arsenal set up. Carlos Vela: haven't followed his loan spell. No idea what to make of him at the current juncture. Jay Emmanuel-Thomas: looked good in the Reserves this year. Haven't seen him at Cardiff. Want to see him break through to the first team. We might have the "Vennegoor of Hesselink" treatment at the Armoury kit customizer.
Calling out RvP is akin to being on the Titanic as it hit the Iceberg and complaining about the music the orchestra was playing.
GOOD: Robin Van Persie - Put the ball in the net, which is his job description. Samir Nasri - Overrated this season, but was still a quality player who scored goals and made key passes. Walcott - When he played, he created chances. Song - A tackling machine whose aggressive play subdued opponents. He was suspect going forward though. Djourou - Mostly great. For a time we were unbeaten with him in the lineup. Wilshere - Good distribution and dribbling. I would like to see him show a little more greed around the goal, as he didn't look to shoot enough. Sagna - A consistent performer. My only real gripe is that his offensive game was too predictable. All of those crosses from the wing didn't amount to much considering that we don't have many good aerial threats. FAIR: Fabregas - His passing was excellent at times, but he didn't consistently impact the game. Szczesny - Not bad. Generally looked solid back there. Thought he could've made a few more saves though, especially on pens. Did he ever stop one all season? Clichy - A little bit shaky at times, but not a liability in most games. Koscielny - A bit mistake-prone. Fouls too much. Still, I think he showed enough to get more opportunities. POOR: Bendtner - Horrible apart from that one goal in the cup game. He's slow and lumbering. Basically useless against top flight defenders. Arshavin - Some of the criticisms might be a bit harsh, as he did have a few moments of brilliance and undoubtedly suffered from a lack of consistent minutes, but at the end of the day he just wasn't good enough, especially considering that he was our record transfer. Rosicky - Has no confidence and couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with a shot. INCOMPLETE: Everyone else.
GKs: Sneezy -- B Almunia -- F Wukas -- C Mad Jens -- R U mad? Defenders: Clichy -- F Squillaci -- D- Djorou -- C- Kos -- C+ Sagna -- A Gibbs -- Incomplete TV5 -- See above Miquel -- D (rather him than Squil) Eboue -- F MFs: Nasri -- A Cesc -- B- Rosicky -- C Diaby -- D Song -- B Wilshere -- B+ Ramsey -- Incomplete Henderson -- Incomplete Forwards: AA23 -- F Theo -- C Bendtner -- B Chamakh -- C RvP -- A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Coaches: Pat Rice -- C Boro Primorac -- C Arsene Wenger -- C
LOL. Unless he's better than the best striker to ever play for the club you're not sure if you want to keep him? No kidding. This thread: 2/10.