The Soccer Blog: Midseason Review, Part III: Awards

Wednesday, 22 December 2010

Midseason Review, Part III: Awards

By: Sairax | December 22nd, 2010

First-half Player of the Season:

1. Samir Nasri (Average Rating: 7.24, Man of the Match 5 times):

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You could tell in preseason that Nasri was rested, motivated from his World Cup snub, and generally ready to kick some ass this season. And he has delivered on that. 12 goals and 3 assists in all competitions, plus new career highs in goals and shots, speak to the fact that he has gone from being a nice supporting figure who can draw attention away from the real dangermen to a dangerman himself. He’s been so good that it’s easy to forget that he missed a month with an injury. It’s also easy to forget that he’s just 23 years old. Aside from how good he’s been on the pitch, he’s started to carry himself like a leader — he’s talking to teammates a lot more, getting the fans involved, and generally growing into his role as one of the team’s go-to guys. And he is just a pleasure to root for as well, exciting, hard-working, and seems like a genuinely good young man. And he has a legitimate claim to being the best player in the Premiership so far this season, it will be interesting to see if he can keep up this torrid pace. – Martin

2. Lukasz Fabianski (Average Rating: 7, Man of the Match 3 times):

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Today, redemption is spelled F-L-A-P-S. At the outset of the season, everyone was clamoring for Wenger to buy an experienced keeper, Me included. And hardly anyone who watched Flaps play at the end of last season would have thought he had the psychological toughness to rebound from as nightmarish a spell as I’ve ever seen a goalkeeper go through to establish himself as a legitimate first-team option. But that’s exactly what he did. Called into action after Almunia was dropped or injured, depending on who you believe, Flaps looked shaky at times at first. But once he saved that penalty in Belgrade, you could tell by the look on his face that he felt like he had exorcised some demons. And for the most part, he’s been very, very good since then. The Andy Carroll goal against Newcastle being the notable exception. But he’s become one of the best-kept secrets in the Premiership, as the media and other teams seem to be judging him based on the mistake-prone mess he was last season, not the top-notch keeper he has become. It will be interesting to see if his good play is enough to see him keep the # 1 shirt, or whether Wenger will hand it over to Szczesny, who has a much higher upside than Flaps. Regardless, Flaps has done a lot to keep us in the title hunt, and has earned the trust and respect of his fans and teammates. – Martin

3. Cesc Fabregas (Average Rating: 6.89, Man of the Match 2.5 times): It’s a testament to just how good a player he is that in a season where he’s obviously been fatigued from the World Cup, didn’t have any preseason training, and has been dealing with a nagging hamstring injury, he’s been our third best player. Certainly hasn’t been at his best, and I think most of us would say he has been disappointing by his standards so far. Hopefully he can get a run of fitness and form and remind us why we love him so much — because when he’s on his game, he’s one of the best midfielders in the world. – Martin

Honorable Mention:

4. Bacary Sagna (Average Rating: 6.86, Man of the Match 1.5 times): Ho hum, just goes out there and puts in rock-solid performance after rock-solid performance. A lot of media outlets have him as their right-back in the Premiership’s Best XI through the first half. – Martin

5. Jack Wilshere (Average Rating: 6.68, Man of the Match 3 times): It’s easy to forget now that at the beginning of the season many of you wanted Jacky Boy to go out on a season-long loan to Bolton, and he looked to prove you right with a hopelessly inept performance against Liverpool in the season opener. But he’s shown himself to be one of our most tireless workers and best team players, and is a virtual lock in the starting XI at 18 years of age. – Martin

6. Marouane Chamakh (Average Rating: 6.65, Man of the Match 0 times): While his game certainly has its holes, he has shown himself to be an effective hold-up man who is brilliant in the air and seemingly impervious to injury. Which is pretty much exactly what this team needed him to be. Very good pick-up for Arsenal. – Martin

Least Valuable Player in First-Half:

1. Gael Clichy (Average Rating: 6.25, Man of the Match 0 times):

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His bright moments, while they still come, seem fewer and fewer, and his terrible moments, when he gives away penalties or fouls in dangerous situations, looks completely unable to cope with aerial balls into his area, or just gets made to look foolish while trying to defend someone one on one, seem to be getting more and more frequent. He’s still 25, so he could still improve, but the concern is that he seems to be getting continuously worse and worse since 2007-2008, and has been outplayed by Kieran Gibbs when Gibbs has been able to play this season. His place in starting XI is certainly under threat if he can’t find a way to improve between now and May. – Martin

2. Alex Song (Average Rating: 6.26, Man of the Match 0 times): Was one of last year’s best players (Average Rating: 7.29) as he established himself as a very good (maybe even a . . . wait for it . . . world-class) holding midfielder and really helped bring out the best in Cesc by allowing him to roam forward. But this season, Wenger has inexplicably decided to try to make him a box-to-box guy, which doesn’t really make sense because Song does not appear to have either the industry or the skill for that type of role, and he often ventures forward at ill-advised moments, leaving the backline exposed. It will be interesting to see if he learns to pick his spots better or if Wenger changes his role back to the role in which he was so successful last season. – Martin

3. Emmanuel Eboue (Average Rating: 6.27, Man of the Match 0 times):

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It’s unclear what’s happened to Eboue. Maybe he himself has bought into the whole “cult of Eboue” thing. But what is clear is that whereas last year he was a very, very good right back who could fill in capably in midfield and could sometimes not embarrass himself as a right-sided forward, this year he seems increasingly incompetent at any and all roles asked of him. Still the best celebrator of goals in the team, though, which is something. But he’s been rumored to be getting some interest from some Italian clubs interested in making Eboue their starting right-back. I love Eboue as much as anyone, but if he doesn’t turn things around soon, there’s no point in keeping him. – Martin

Dishonorable Mention:

4. (Tie) Nicklas Bendtner and Robin van Persie (Average Rating: 6.06, Man of the Match 0 times): So I cheated a bit — these two actually have the lowest scores, but it’s bogged down by playing so many substitute roles. Plus both players have missed so much action because of injury that it seems unfair to hold it against them too much. What is clear is that Chamakh can’t carry the weight of the world on his snood-y shoulders alone all season, so one of these guys needs to step up and be a go-to striker. Both have shown that ability in the past, but both have looked pretty bad in limited action this season. – Martin

5. Sebastian Squillaci (Average Rating: 6.32, Man of the Match .5 times) Well, give him some credit for staying healthy and tough in a team that could use both those traits, and for bringing some veteran leadership aboard. Unfortunately, though, it’s looking more and more like the whispers I heard from people who follow La Liga that he’s not quick enough, not strong enough, and too prone to making bad mistakes to play for Arsenal may have been right. Not a bad reserve option, but the problem is that he’s playing 90 minutes every match. And I have to say I can’t quite figure out why — Koscielny and Djourou have been better, and have played very well together as a duo in the Carling Cup matches. Still not a bad buy for the pennies we paid for him, but I guess what they say about “if something seems too good to be true, it probably is” is true. We should have known that a senior French international in his prime available for 2-3 million wasn’t going to be a world-beater. – Martin

Best Goal of the Season

1. Nasri Fulham Goals

Ok so I cheated. I don’t care. The fact that both of these goals came in the same game and that both goals were crucial for our win that took us (briefly) to the top of the table just add to their greatness.

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How Sairax looked after watching the 2 Nasri goals v Fulham

The first started with a short run and then a superb pass from Arshavin in behind the Fulham defense to Nasri. Nasri then proceeds to cut in, not once, but twice and then fire a bullet in past Schwarzer. Deceptively simple, yet brilliant in its execution. It takes great skill and control, not to mention composure, to complete such an audacious move in such a small space with defenders hurling themselves in front of you to block the shot is just pure class. You know a goal is good when the goalmouth is littered with defenders left for dead. – Sairax

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The second goal was no less brilliant. Nasri begins the entire sequence nearly at the halfway line. He passes to Arshavin who finds van Persie at the top of the box. Nasri makes his way forward as van Persie fakes a shot and lays the ball off into Nasri’s path. Nasri then slaloms his way past the Fulham defense, takes the ball away from the keeper, swivels and turns to get the ball on his right foot (he had missed a couple chances in similar positions on his left foot in previous games) and finishes from an incredible angle, leaving us all with our mouths gaping wide open. I can’t even do it justice, just watch it. Over and over and over. – Sairax

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2. Theo v Shakhtar

Theo got off to a blistering start this season, scoring goals left and right and enjoying his football. Losing him to an injury was a big blow, but he came back ready to reclaim his form. The sequence begins with a great little chip-pass from Wilshere to send Theo off to the races. His fantastic speed is on show, yet again, and he ends with a composed finish, full of calm and confidence. Perhaps a bit reminiscent of a certain other number 14 Arsenal striker? – Sairax

3. Fabregas v Sunderland

The freakiest goal you will see in the league all season. It came as a consequence of Anton Ferdinand trying to clear the ball, but instead it ricocheted off of Cesc and nestled beautifully into the back of the net from 30 yards out. It was wonderfully placed, arced over the keeper with pace. The perfect fluke goal and another example of how pressing can pay off. – Sairax

Best Moment of the Season:

Manchester City 0 – Arsenal 3

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Manchester City had owned us the last couple of years, especially at Eastlands. And they were talking up their title chances. And all we did was go in and hand them their worst home defeat in years. Yes, we were helped by the linesman’s decision to send off Boyata early, leaving them to play most of the game down a man. But don’t forget that the linesman incorrectly flagged Arshavin for offside right at the beginning of the match when he was put through one-on-one with the keeper in the first few minutes, and Cesc had a penalty saved. It as a great performance — we looked solid defensively, Flaps had a great match, and it really seemed that Arsenal may have turned a corner. Two matches later we lost against Newcastle and much of the good feelings from this one were forgotten, but beating Manchester City 3-0 at Eastlands is a tremendous result that shows that Arsenal may be capable of rising to a big occasion. Let’s hope it is a sign of things to come. – Martin

Worst Moment of the Season:

Arsenal 2 – Tottenham 3

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The game against Sp*rs. Being 2-0 up after playing one of our best halves of the season, you’d think The Arsenal would manage to go on and at least grab a point. However, what we saw was a complete second half meltdown, which saw the Sp*rs come back and score 3 goals and win their first game on our sacred ground in 17 years. The second half was devoid of any passion or commitment from our players, let alone any semblance of good football. Only when the spuds knocked in their third did we wake up to try and salvage a point. It was an absolute disgrace, not only to so epically self-destruct, but to do it at home, after being 2-0 up, against our fierce rivals Tottenham bloody Hotspur. A worse result you will not see all year. – Sairax

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Category: Alex Song, Arsenal News, Bacary Sagna, Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Eboue, Gael Clichy, Jack Wilshere, Manchester City, Marouane Chamakh, Nicklas Bendtner, Robin van Persie, Samir Nasri, Sebastien Squillaci, Theo Walcott, Tottenham, Video

Tags: Alex Song, Arsenal News, bacary sagna, Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Eboue, Gael Clichy, Jack Wilshere, Manchester City, Marouane Chamakh, Nicklas Bendtner, Robin van Persie, Samir Nasri, Sebastien Squillaci, Theo Walcott, Tottenham, Video
« Midseason Review, Part II: Loanee Review and Rankings | Home | Squash2034Chris Samba is available! (And Vermaelen is out until end of Jan, if he ever comes back)
Maybe Samba is a good idea? French speaking, premier league vet, 26, cheap. I would love to see him bullying Kenwyne Jones and the like.
We could even throw him as a center forward in the closing stages against Barca! How I dream...MartinThe problem is that Samba is really slow and has no on the ball skills at all. That would prevent us from playing a high defensive line, and prevent us from playing the ball up from the back the way we like to do. Samba is a decent player, but he is really built for an Allardyce team, not a Wenger team.bapdumim surprised arshavin didnt get mentioned somewhere in there. martins always rambling about how lazy he isMartinWhy do I get the feeling that you would have complained about this same thing if I had included Arshavin? People get mad at me for criticizing Arshavin when I do criticize him, and mad at me for criticizing Arshavin when I don't criticize him. Sigh....Fred Jacoblol,bapdumbalotelli doesnt know who jack is (who got 2nd place for the bravo award) and says hes better than all past winners (including cesc) except messi. comments? personally i think hes pro but his ego just brings him waaaaay downFred JacobDont worry Jacky will get a few goals against City when we play themGigi_manNasri is the man!
I d still leave Song out of that group, but I would have put AW in some group:
The man is obvioulsy responsible for many of the players faults and bad calls, not entirely but certainly in a fair amount.
Why dont you create a new list for Arsencito?Fred JacobburAshwin91Fabregas in the best player list after he was in the biggest upsets just yesterday? Hypocrisy!MartinReally? It's hypocrisy? When in his entry for 3rd I explicitly say it's a mark of how good he is and how much we expect from him that even though he has been disappointing by his standards, he's been our 3rd best player?

I may have to consult my dictionary, but I think hypocrisy is saying one thing and then saying another thing that contradicts that first thing. Not saying one thing and then saying basically that same thing again.SairaxI still think the Newcastle goal was only partly Fabianski's fault.Fred JacobI blame Chamahk for that goalDarren_VI agree 100%. Any and every defender knows you don't ever allow a player to have a free run at a ball in the air, especially from a free kick. It's simple, basic defending gone missing.SairaxDid we just agree on something?Darren_VI need to check my temperature...MartinCompletely agree -- if somebody had just gotten in Carroll's way it never would have happened. But it's the nature of being a goalkeeper that if you make a mistake and the other team scores, you're going to be the one who gets blamed. He did definitely misjudge that ball in, though, and should have stayed in his net.Ashwin91Face it, most of Almunia's goals are our defence's fault too. They are near pathetic. Without TV5 that is.blog comments powered by Disqus