Top 3 most improved Arsenal players this season

Arsenal has always had a few players maturing and improving every season. Let’s take a look at the 3 most improved Arsenal FC players this season.

3. Theo Walcott

Theo Walcott.

Theo Walcott has been criticized a lot – but he has certainly improved a lot as well. With many critics attacking him for not having a football brain, Walcott has shut up them up this season with some brilliant performances, and has become, in some people’s books, the best winger England currently have at it’s disposal. At the time of writing, Theo Walcott has currently contributed to 9 goals in his last 13 Arsenal games and with 5 games left to go for this season, he could have his best ever goals/assist tally in an Arsenal shirt. Based on the 2011/2012 season so far, It is almost certain that Theo Walcott will be on the plane to Poland and Ukraine this summer for EURO 2012 and it will be much deserved as well.

2010/2011:

Games played – 38Goals – 13Assists – 9

2011/2012 (currently):

Games played – 43Goals – 11Assists – 13

“For me, yes [he is the best winger in the country.] Put it this way, I wouldn’t like to be coming up against him.” – Arsenal teammate, Kieran Gibbs.

“People are fickle. He [Theo Walcott] is a good player, of real talent. I gave him his debut and he’s a fantastic talent.” – Tottenham manager, Harry Redknapp.

“I think people forget about Theo because he is so long in the spotlight that people forget he is 23 years old and he is now getting to an age where you perform. I believe that overall, Theo has improved offensively, defensively, with assists, in goalscoring and in teamwork. He is getting to where you want him to be now. I feel that he has made a step forward this season.” – Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger.

2. Alex Song

Alex Song.

Ever since the 2009/2010 season, Alex Song has cemented his position in the Arsenal first XI as a key player but if this season is anything to go by, he has now cemented his position as one of the finest midfielders in the world. Contrary to last season where Wilshere and Fàbregas orchestrated the midfield, it is now Alex Song who does a major part of that work along with summer signing, Mikel Arteta, who has also given Song the freedom to roam forward and initiate attacks. A major aspect of Song’s game that has improved has been his long range passing, leading to many game winners from his lofted through balls. Before this season, Alex Song had 10 assists for Arsenal since 2007 – the commanding midfield anchor already has 14 assists this season alone. Arsenal fans will surely be hoping the highly improved Cameroon international’s contract, which expires in 2014 is soon extended with a major pay rise. It has been quite a story for Arsenal’s number 17 who at one point at his Arsenal career, was considered deadwood by many.

“A feature of Arsenal’s improvement has been the combination play of the three midfield men and here Alex Song, the most powerful of midfield bases, led the charge. Few midfielders who sit at the base, use space to good effect like Alex Song has done this season.” – former footballer, David Pleat.

“This season, Song averages the highest number of accurate through passes in the Premier League, with 0.7 per game – ironically the same as former team-mate Fàbregas at Barcelona. His ability to drift from deep positions and find killer passes has given Arsenal a new cutting edge. Few can argue that Alex Song’s range of abilities and contribution make him anything but one of the best in the world at his job.” – Football writer and scout, Jamie Sanderson.

“Alex [Song] is a really good player, he can see it [the pass] and actually do it.” – Arsenal captain, Robin van Persie.

1. Laurent Koscielny

Laurent Koscielny.

Once hated, Laurent Koscielny has won the hearts of nearly every Arsenal fan this season. Having played in the 3rd tier of French football just 4 years ago, Koscielny is now one of the finest central defenders in the Premier League which is quite a journey. Many had doubts over his arrival last season and the Frenchman did himself no favours when his mix-up with Wojciech Szczesny gifted Birmingham City the Carling Cup last season. However this season, those doubts have cleared as he has grown into a quality player and one of Wenger’s finest gems, being rock solid at the heart of Arsenal’s defense. As journalist, Jack Pitt-Brooke put it – “his [Koscielny] prescience without the ball, his anticipation of opponents, his authority in the tackle, his grace in possession, his precision in passing, all tell of a defender with few superiors in England or even in Europe.” According to stats site, WhoScored, at the time of writing, Laurent Koscielny has made the most successful tackles of all Premier League centre backs this season, with 78 – which means the Frenchman has the best tackle success rate in England. His partnership with Vermaelen has also helped Arsenal immensely as they look to be a force in the coming seasons and as a reward for his brilliant displays, the Frenchman earned his first cap for France, playing against the USA. Who is the most improved Arsenal player? The answer is unanimous.

“He’s strong, quick, physically good, heads the ball well. For me, he has everything to be one of the top centre backs around.” – Arsenal captain, Robin van Persie.

“He is a special player and he’s starting slowly to get credit. He doesn’t speak a lot, but his performances speak for him.” – Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger.

“Laurent Koscielny & Thomas Vermaelen have emerged as possibly the best centre-back partnership in the Premier League. They are good technically and very mobile, which is more important than being physical these days.” – Arsenal legend, Martin Keown.