Jack Wilshere – The Unanswered Question
An Arsenal fan as of the 2006-07 season, the only hardware I know has been a continual search for a silver lining. That said, after an already catastrophic start to this year’s campaign, the news of Jack Wilshere’s prolonged injury in late September had even the most optimistic of Gooners sullenly facepalming. In just over a month’s time, the club’s three most vital playmakers had vanished. While blame for the abrupt disfiguration is to be cast more on inexcusably poor management than misfortune, the reality was that Wenger’s possession-oriented brainchild needed serious bandaging at its fulcrum. Fast.
Mikel Arteta – Quality validated
Brought into the wreckage was last-hour signing Mikel Arteta, a player whose La Mesia tutelage, squad number and general appearance personified an eerie conflation of the dearly and not-so dearly departed Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. With injury recently bringing his season to an end and officially inaugurating him as an Arsenal player, Arteta’s transition to Champions League caliber football in his first year with the club has been seamless. With big shoes to fill, Arteta has provided a much-needed prudent and technically competent nucleus in the midfield, regulating possession and build-up while scoring memorable goals along the way. Arsene’s reliance to sign an experienced Premiership leader has proven money very well spent.
Alex Song – World class emergence
Arteta’s most familiar midfield companion, Alex Song, while needing no introduction to the system as the club’s most experienced returning midfielder, came into the season taking on a distinct role from years past. In doing so, he has merited his name’s mention in the list of world’s best defensive midfielders. The Cameroonian has continued to refine his game – showing a facet that many did not know existed – an uncanny ability to create goals. Not only does he lead the squad in assists, but his playmaking ability has led to some of the most emphatic and sensational goals of the season (see Thierry Henry v. Leeds, Theo Walcott v. Spurs, RVP v. Dortmund, Everton, Liverpool). His defensive prowess always evident, Song’s faculty for winning the ball and starting the attack has been supplemented by a newfound ability to hatch and finish it.
Aaron Ramsey – Future bright?
Dynamic seasons from Arteta and Song have been accompanied by a more stagnant term from Aaron Ramsey. With midfield vacancy aplenty and his time as a Gunner marked by steadied improvement and triumph over a horrific injury, the 21 year-old Wales captain seemed primed for a vindictive breakout year. What we have seen is a 21 year-old Wales captain acclimating to increased responsibilities in his first full season as a featured regular. Eliminating intermittent spells of Bendtner-esque slowing-down of play, indecision and dispossession need to be rectified if he hopes to fight for a place in next year’s starting XI. Nonetheless, realizing Ramsey’s relative plateauing in the midst of an accelerated learning curve, it takes little imagination to see a player who is en route to becoming a crucial hub in the Arsenal midfield in the years to come.
Tomas Rosicky – Form temporary, class permanent
Perhaps the most eye-opening revelation of the year has been that Tomas Rosicky lives. The reinvigorated 31 year-old has been playing with something to prove during the past few months, with his decisive and much belated goal against Spurs serving as the catalyst. If and when Arsenal lock up a Champions League spot for next year, Tomas is one of the first to credit. While form comes and goes, what is salient is that we know “The Little Mozart” can still create rousing music.
Abou Diaby – Glimpses of greatness, marred by injury
At a club incessantly riddled by injury, Abou Diaby has (presently) managed to oust RVP in their ongoing duel for hobbled poster child. One can only wonder what we would see from the Frenchman, who has played an increasing role of importance for his national side in recent years, if he were gifted an injury-free stint like Van Persie’s current spell. While ‘reliable’ and ‘consistent’ seem suitable antonyms for the former Auxerre man, he has shown he is capable of brilliant football. Say what you will about Arsene’s undying fidelity to certain players, but Diaby seems one worth holding on to.
Francis Coquelin – A budding talent
Francis Coquelin, Diaby’s younger compatriot, was precisely the only positive to be taken from a traumatizing September afternoon in Manchester. Coquelin’s baptism by fire was later followed by the equally daunting assignment of filling in at outside back positions alien to the holding midfielder. The 20 year-old again proved equal to the task and has greatly impressed along the way, displaying a precocious savviness and swagger that, personally, makes him one of the most enjoyable players to watch on the squad. Be it in an Arsenal kit or not, (and I wholeheartedly wish for the former,) Francis will be a big player in the near future.
Emmanuel Frimpong – Two years, two season-ending injuries
A curious cross between Emmanuel Eboue and Mr. T, Emmanuel Frimpong was tipped by many to make his mark for the Gunners this season. His loan spell at Wolverhampton was a definite step in the right direction in developing what we saw in 2011 to be a raw talent needing more minutes to aid his maturity. Unfortunate is an understatement in describing Emmanuel’s season-ending knee injury. Just a month after suiting up for his new (now relegated) Premiership side, Emmanuel suffered an identical setback from the 2010-11 season – this time on his right knee, his left crippling him just a year earlier. Though I would not be surprised to see Arsene arrange another loan for next season, any Gunner can bet that Frimmy, who has spent the better part of his life donning red and white and truly loves the club (see Nasri row and Twitter account), will be giving his absolute all to fight for a role in bringing glory to Arsenal.
Jack Wilshere – A great unknown
So, the question beckons- what Jack will we see next year? Will it be a boy coming back down to Earth to find his feet again in the world’s most competitive football league? Or will it be the wonder-kid who was the best player at the Emirates alongside Xavi, Iniesta, Messi and the likes of FC Barcelona on that unforgettable February night? What is certain is the complete dispelling of the notion that the success of the squad’s most dire and crucial unit rests on the 20 year-old’s shoulders. On the contrary, Wilshere will only complement a group that has shown resiliency and promise in the most trying of times, emerging as the strongest part of the pitch and giving reason to believe that a club billed by many as in decline will be in the thick of a trophy hunt 12 months from now.
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