2013 Year in Review: Top 5 Arsenal players

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and not reflective of the website as a whole.

5. Mesut Ozil

Ozil has provided the spark Arsenal have been missing for years

The list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning this incredible German. The 25-year-old became Arsenal‘s record signing when Arsene Wenger bought him for £42.5 million from Real Madrid and has since completely changed Arsenal’s fortunes. Ozil has notched up 4 goals in 15 matches and has contributed 7 assists, more than any Arsenal player. The German has lit up the Premier League with his performances and is one of Arsenal’s most valuable assets. Ozil needs to be more consistent in order to be the complete player. The midfielder will surely help Arsenal to a trophy in the near future.

4. Wojciech Szczesny

Szczesny is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League

The Pole is another Gunners player who is having the season of his life. In spite of beginning the season poorly with a 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa, Szczesny has certainly redeemed himself and is now one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League. The 23-year-old has been a key player to Arsenal this season and the Gunners partly owe their top of the table position to their goalkeeper. The shot stopper has made 59 saves in 18 games along with keeping 8 clean sheets, some of them coming in important games against Liverpool, Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund. If Szczesny keeps up his performance he’ll certainly be one of the best in the world.

3. Laurent Koscielny

Koscielny is one of Arsenal’s first choice center backs

Many Arsenal fans questions Arsene Wenger’s ability in the transfer market when he signed a then unknown Koscielny from Lorient for aorund £10 million. All that has changed since then and Koscielny has become one of Arsenal’s key players and one of the best defenders in the League. The 28-year-old has successfully broken into the Arsenal first team and has formed an excellent partnership with Per Mertesacker, displacing club captain Thomas Vermaelen in the process. The Frenchman was named Arsenals Player of the Season for the 2012-2013 campaign and is continuing his good performance this season. The center back has also scored some important goals for the team which is important to their title hopes.

2. Olivier Giroud

Giroud is beginning to find his old form again this season

The striker has improved considerably this season and looks to have finally gianed his Montpellier form with Arsenal this season. The Frenchman has scored 8 goals from 18 appearances and has contributed 5 assists along the way for the Gunners. The 27-year-old found the back of the net against Borussia Dortmund in Arsenal’s Champions League game at the Emirates but unfortunately the Gunners lost the fixture 2-1. Giroud recently scored the only goal against Newcastle United, allowing the Gunners to end the year at the top of the table. The forward needs to be more consistent and up his game in the big matches in order secure his status as one of the league’s best front men.

1. Aaron Ramsey

Ramsey is Arsenal’s most improved player

The player heading this list is unquestionably Aaron Ramsey. The Welshman has gone from one of Arsenal’s biggest liabilities to one of Europe’s most in form players- a truly stunning transformation. The 23-year-old has had a stellar 2013 and has been named Arsenal Player of the Month 4 times in a row along with picking up numerous Man of the Match awards. The midfielder has scored 13 goals in 27 appearances, including stunning goals against Liverpool, Cardiff and Borussia Dortmund. Arsene Wenger has lavished praise on his player and stated that he wouldn’t sell him even if he was offered £50 million – some great words indeed. It is unfortunate that his injury against West Ham United on Boxing Day has temporarily halted his brilliant performances.