A summer filled with non-stop rumors of 2 of our top players leaving was seriously distablising. With no additions and their eventual sales we started off the seasons as low as we could have possibly done with our beloved Mr. Wilshere out for several months. Additions were needed but seemed too much like panic buys (Park was in a hotel ready to sign for Lille). To be fair those players have helped to turnaround the morale, performances and results. With a dodgy past few weeks it only reinforces we MUST sign quality in January for any chance of 4th place. GOALKEEPERS 8/10 - Szczesny Massive improvement from Almunia and at 21 years old looks like he can only get better. He has had a few dodgy moments (as all keepers do) but i'd stick with him as he could be become of the best in the world DEFENCE 8/10 - Koscielny He showed glimpses of being a great defender last year (Barca) but was very inconsistant and cost us in other games (Carling Cup final) but he's been one of our most consistant players this season and has probably earnt a spot as first choice when all are fit and available 8/10 - Vermaelen Shame he's so injury prone because he's real class and a leader...done a decent job at left back as well 7/10 - Djourou Decent cover at Right Back! 7/10 - Mertersacker Improving but what's worrying is how weak he is in the air for someone so tall!! 7/10 - Santos He's entertaining but scary when defending. If he could be more discplined he'd be a big improvement on Clichy offensively and equal defensively 6/10 - Sagna Got injured before we started to turn it around 6/10 - Jenkinson Started to improve from looking horrible but then got injured 5/10 - Gibbs Too injury prone and performed poorly when he has played MIDFIELD 8/10 - Song Massive player for us, defensively solid but also added some key assists 7/10 - Coquelin Looks a real quality player and deserves more game time ahead of the others chosen ahead of him 7/10 - Arteta Not the player we saw at Everton, probably because Wenger is using him in a different position as a deeper lying player. Looking better game by game but would be helpful if he could add more forward passes to his play 7/10 - Walcott Very mixed season...of late he's been more like 3/4 but when he was on song he was getting some great assists for RVP. His spot is under threat by AOC so needs to work to keep it 7/10 - Gervinho What a player he'd be if he could finish...he offers the direct play we've been crying out for 7/10 - Rosicky Suprisingly decent when he's been used 6/10 - Ramsey Really dissapointed he hasn't done more, weak in the tackle not as creative as he should be...it's sad because it seems his injury might have done the same as it'd affected Eduardo? 6/10 - Benayoun Not sure if he's just a stop gap or if we'll try to sign him permanently looks average at best...clearly lost the form he had at West Ham or Liverpool 5/10 - Arshavin Has regressed season after season and seems disinterested in playing for the team...time to let him leave! FORWARDS 10/10 - RVP Exceptional player, also been an impressive captain...shame he can't be rested with the lack of depth we have on the bench 2/10 - Chamakh Awful, don't know where the player of the beginning of last season went to but he's failed to perform for over a year 1/10 - Park Don't know why we signed him, doesn't even make the bench most games and when he does isn't trusted to come on
I think Arteta deserves an 8, he's been the cornerstone of our midfield. Ramsey deserves a 7, he's been really good, but off form recently Walcott, probably 6.5 for me, started well, recently his form has deserted him. Have to say, that Benayoun has done really well when he's come in so probably deserves a bit more credit.
Djourou has been okay at RB, considering he is 3rd choice there. But Sagna can't come back soon enough.
Agree with pretty much all of the ratings from the first post, except maybe Rosicky, Jenkinson and Walcott lower, and Ramsey slightly higher.
Can't agree about Ramsey. I think he's had a good season so far, not perfect by any means and his form has dropped off recently, but he has worked really hard in midfield. I think people forget that he's only just turned 22 and he's still developing. Also he was out for a long time after his leg break. He's got a way to go still, but I think it will come. He is a very good player.
I'd give him a 7/10, but he really needs a rest. He was never going to be an immediate replacement for Cesc/Nasri, but he's doing a nice enough job. The guy has just turned 21, he has his whole career still ahead of him.
If anyone says one bad thing about Ramsey they'll be banned from this forum.There'll be no Welshist posting here
I've been far more impressed with Arteta than Ramsey. He shows good moments, but in the whole hasn't been great. He is expected to be the creative force, and hasn't been so far. He's played some good balls, but can be largely anonymous too often.
Think some are maybe being a little harsh on the team - we are up near the top of the table so i doubt we can rate them all around 5 - they are clearly playing above average. Players i notice who are getting low ratings: Park - he has barely had a chance to make an impression on the team but scored a fantastic goal against Bolton and imo actualy looks a decent player - i think we should reserve judgement on him. Waclott - his form has dipped but he has actually been very good thsi season. Ramsey - He is still very young and this is his first season of first string football. He dithers on the ball sometimes but is otherwise a very skillfull player and i like him as a player (even if he is welsh). I think he should be congratulated on stepping up to the first team in the shadow of Cesc/Nasri. I'm hoping to see more from him this season but overall i'm pleased with his progress. Don't think there is any risk of his injury affecting him like Eduardo. And a couple of comments on players who i think have done realy well: RVP - what can you say - he is truely world class. Only Ronaldo and Messi can claim to be betetr than him at the moment. Incredibly happy we have him at our club. Arteta - Has stepped into our midfield and steadied it. He gives us the balance we where missing before - the link between atack and defense. He covers well for Song and i believe has a very good understanding of the game - and can keep it simple without always going backwards. Kosc - Has been fantastic and imo our best player after RVP this season. Very consistent and is proving his doubters wrong. He was good last season (especialy at Barca) but is becomming one of the best CB's in the league. Santos - Written off by many at the start of the season he has consistently improved. Going forward he is quality (much better than Clichy) and he has that Brazilian flair and style which i love to see in our team - he is a pleasure to watch. He also makes brilliant tackles which makes up for his slight lack of pace. He has got better game by game and looks a real quality player both defensively and offensively now. I think he is developing a good understanding with the rest of the team so as to not leave us exposed when he goes forwards. I'm very happy with his signing.
