The season is finally over. After a campaign of highs and lows, mainly lows, we can now finally reflect on the previous 12 months. In this post we will take a look back at the season and answer some common questions, such as Player of the Season.
Best Signing - Santi Cazorla
For me this was the first summer for a long time that Arsene really spent well. Had the three signings brought in been additions and not replacements, then I think we would have been pressing for second or third. Of the trio of new arrivals Santi has undoubtedly been the best. The diminutive Spaniard has produced some stunning performances, in particular his performance against Spurs at home was a joy to behold. Despite being moved out wide towards the latter half of the season the play-maker never complained, always giving his all for the cause of the team. In terms of effort and levels of performance he has been one of our players of the season and I expect him to kick on to new levels next season.
Best Performance - v Spurs
There's nothing sweeter than beating your rivals and beating them 5-2 for the second season running makes it even better. After going one nil down to an Adebayor goal I feared the worst, however the game changed when the Togo striker idiotically got himself sent off. This gave us the motivation to kick on and dismantle our local rivals. All three of our new signings also got on the score sheet and it was match which demonstrated that our team was finally beginning to gel. We have not lost at home to Spurs for years and had we done so at that point in the season, the campaign could have turned out very differently.
Best Player - Laurent Koscielny
This has been very much a coming of age season for the French centre half. He began the season as the third choice centre back, behind the pairing of Per and Vermaelen. Now he is one of the first names on the team sheet. The turning point for Laurent was his performance against Bayern at the Allianz. His efforts ensured the side kept a clean sheet against arguably the best side in Europe in their own back yard. Since then he has been nothing short of sensational, with his performances earning him praise from pundits and players a like. It summed up how great a season he had that he was the player to score the winner against Newcastle on Sunday. Unsurprisingly rumours have it that a few clubs are sniffing around Kos so the club will have to work hard to keep their star man.
Worst Player - Sébastien Squillaci
The easiest decision I have ever had to make. He made just the one appearance in a pointless Champions League came when qualification had already been secured. In his three years with the club he has made just 23 appearances, a horrendous return on a £4 million pound investment. Thankfully his contract expires this summer and we can finally be rid of him.
Worst Performance - v Bradford
One of the darkest moments of the season and Wenger's reign. Victory over Bradford would have secured a semi final berth against Aston Villa, however we fell to the League 2 side over a penalty shoot out. In reality the game should have been finished within ninety minutes, once again Gervinho lacked any composure in front of goal and his misses cost us dearly. I understand people saying that the Carling Cup isn't important but the opportunity to win a trophy is something we should not pass up. Indeed we certainly should not be bowing out of cup competitions to teams like Bradford.
So a mixed season but one I believe we can take a lot of positives from. After January, once our squad had finally gelled, we seemed to show our best form. If we keep these group of players together and add to them then I firmly believe we can produce a strong showing next season.
Many thanks,
Come on you Gooners!
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