Arsenal FC: Ranking the 10 Worst Players in 2010/2011
Arsenal FC's 2010/2011 campaign ended with a feeble two-all draw against a 10-men Fulham side, concluding what has become one of the most disappointing seasons under Arsene Wenger.
The Gunners entered the season with aspirations to eradicate their notorious five-season trophy drought. Despite Wenger failing to secure quality, renowned services during the summer transfer window, there was still strong optimism the North London giants could revitalize some World Football pride.
Wenger's young squad had been founded via the tireless eyes of scouts rather than excessive funds akin to Arsenal's rivals and nurtured for some time by the French tactician. After a slow start it appeared the Gunners may finally be on course to reward their disgruntled fans as they began to materialize a two-horse race at the penthouse of the English Premier League table, trailing Manchester United thrillingly.
Well into the new year, Wenger's men had progressed through every Cup competition and continued to lead with the eventual champions.
However the season became dismantled after a horror final-minute winner by Birmingham City in the Carling Cup final late in February. The loss signified an immense demise by the Gunners which was followed by respective eliminations from the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup before eventually losing their grip on the EPL title, somehow falling further than thought imaginable; frail performances ensured draws and losses that resulted in Chelsea and Manchester City leap-frogging the North London giants, providing a fourth-place finish.
They had the second-highest wage bill in England, yet the Gunners are fourth in the EPL and have now endured six successive seasons without the satisfaction of silverware. Although a number of positives that have emerged from the season, this is a poor performance from Arsenal, so this slide ranks the 10 worst players of 2010/2011.
10. Nicklas Bendtner
1 of 10
One has to feel slightly for the Danish sharpshooter even if the 23-year-old does have a tendency to be overly arrogant. After an impressive 2009/2010 campaign where Bendtner emerged as the striker he always claimed he was with 12 goals, many expected the Denmark international to continue his rapid development throughout 10/11.
However, early-season injuries coupled with the immense new year form of Robin van Persie (18 goals in 17 matches since the 1st of January) ensured limited chances were provided for the FC Copenhagen youth as his reputation diminished with the fans.
He made 32 appearances, 18 of which came from the bench, and amassed nine goals in a season that has by no means been noticeably poor but will always be remembered for his horror miss in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 If he'd scored, Bendtner would have eliminated Barcelona, who instead now await the final against Manchester United.
The Dane has expressed his displeasure at lack of chances and playing time and demands a move away from the Emirates despite Wenger's intentions to keep the young striker. There is no denying Nicklas Bendtner's talent, but it is more than likely he will depart.
9. Abou Diaby
2 of 10
Inconsistency is the main reason why the 25-year-old is not one of the most powerful and dynamic players in the Premier League. It was another campaign where Abou Diaby has shown glimpses of his overwhelming ability that is too often shrouded by injuries or anonymous performances.
In another injury-ravaged campaign, 20 appearances have come for the Frenchman with two goals mitigating what could of been a stronger effort. Despite some promising efforts, when Arsenal required their imposing midfield enforcer, rarely did Diaby triumph.
The highlight of 2010/2011?
A moment of madness when the French international reacted to a precarious challenge from Newcastle's Joey Barton. Diaby threw Barton to the ground by his neck before pushing an aggressive Kevin Nolan. Phil Dowd had no option but the send off the former Auxerre star.
Arsenal were 4-0 ahead at the time before eventually drawing 4-4.
But Diaby is not surplus at the Gunners and can provide much-needed depth and strength to the Arsenal midfield. There is every chance the Frenchman will reach the level World Football knows he is capable of.
8. Carlos Vela
3 of 10
The young Mexican began the Arsenal season by donning the notorious No. 11, previously worn by Robin van Persie and Marc Overmars. It symbolised that Wenger possessed faith in the Mexican, whom the Frenchman had somewhat neglected in recent seasons, and that Vela was ready to become an integral part of the Arsenal first team.
Far from it. A thoroughly inactive campaign for the Mexico international. A mere 13 appearances up until the end of January, three of which were starts, brought three goals, causing Wenger to send Vela on loan to Premier League rivals West Bromwich Albion for the remainder of the season.
It was little improvement for the former Osasuna loanee; the arrival of Roy Hodgson, who implemented a more defensive regime at the Hawthorns, restricted the 22-year-old's impact, with the Mexican only able to contribute eight appearances and two goals despite often looking lively and threatening.
It is unlikely Vela will be able to force his way into the Arsenal squad upon return, which is likely to ensure the departure of the cool Mexican.
7. Kieran Gibbs
4 of 10
Kieran Gibbs was crowned an English international at the commencement of the season, but that's about as good as it got for the 21-year-old who was forced to spend most of the season in Gael Clichy's shadow. After a broken metatarsal restricted Gibbs to just seven appearances last season, it was important the young left back returned to the form that was so evident during 2008/2009.
Veteran left back Gael Clichy has by no means been impressive, far from it, but Wenger's refusal to demote the French fullback ensured Gibbs rarely received opportunities, predominantly in domestic Cup competitions. Twenty appearances have emerged for the Wimbledon youth this campaign, and it is safe to say that rarely has Kieran Gibbs looked assuring, particularly in recent matches in which Clichy has been absent.
The left back has been a victim of lack of confidence and opportunity which intensify cries for the Englishman to experience an EPL loan spell next season. Many also do not believe Gibbs is a genuine left back after being primarily utilized as a midfielder in his teenage years before Wenger intervened.
This season will certainly have matured the young defender, but it is clear that Kieran Gibbs cannot play deputy left back for much longer.
6. Emmanuel Eboue
5 of 10
The Arsenal fan's favourite simply hasn't performed sufficiently for the Gunners, which does link back to a lack of consistent playing time that is inevitable when Bacary Sagna is the first-choice right back. Sagna's consistent, no-nonsense defensive approach ensures that even a player of the calibre of Emmanuel Eboue cannot even feature prominently.
The Ivorian made 27 appearances, in which the 28-year-old's campaign will forever by tainted by a ridiculous foul on Liverpool's Lucas Leiva in the final seconds of the matched which enabled the Reds to score an unneccassary equalizer from the penalty spot.
Rumours have circulated that Eboue could be set for a departure in a bid to play consistently, but there is no denying that the Ivory Coast international is a vital part of the Arsenal lineup, particularly if injury is sustained by Bacary Sagna.
5. Tomas Rosicky
6 of 10
The Czech playmaker has barely featured in recent months, highlighting the belief Wenger possesses in the 30-year-old. Rosicky has never adequately readjusted from a severe ligament injury sustained in 2008 which eroded his sublime creativity, speed and touch he once was blessed with.
Thirty-four appearances have arisen for the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder, but rarely has a convincing display materialized from the experienced international. Particularly in big matches likes the Carling Cup Final and UEFA Champions League matches against Barcelona, Rosicky was a notable liability in the Arsenal attack.
No longer a young source, Rosicky's days at the Emirates appear numbered, and what is unfortunate is this season the Czech is prominently remembered for a vital penalty miss against Sunderland in which the Black Cats equalized in the final seconds.
4. Denilson
7 of 10
The emergence of PFA Young Player of the Year Jack Wilshere this season beside renowned defensive midfielder Alexandre Song and, of course, captain Cesc Fabregas has ensured it is more difficult to break into the Arsenal midfield. This has been a particular burden on Denilson, whose lack of playing time has been conveyed on the field, which angered the Arsenal faithful greatly.
The 23-year-old has been a victim of the disgruntled fans as they saw refuge for their overpowering criticism in the young Brazilian. The former Sao Paulo star has failed to impose his presence in his 32 appearances this season, and Denilson was particularly disappointing during the recent Arsenal demise when Fabregas and Song both sustained injuries.
Denilson has already stated his desire to depart North London and is destined to join La Liga or Serie A this summer.
3. Sebastien Squillaci
8 of 10
The French defender was somewhat a surprise summer signing for Wenger as Squillaci arrived from Spanish giants Seville for £3.2 million days into the season. However it has been a forgettable season for the defender.
An experienced presence no doubt, but the 30-year-old was exposed as a player past his prime who simply couldn't cope in the harsh English Premier League. Inability to deal with the speed and movement of the English attacks alongside often finding himself physically out-muscled cost Arsenal dearly, particularly as injury to defensive leader Thomas Vermaelen was sustained so early in the campaign.
Squillaci also struggled to form strong partnerships with fellow centre defenders Johan Djourou and Laurent Koscielny—particularly Koscielny. The former Lyon defender never properly looked set during his first season of 32 appearances, and one can not expect the Frenchman to feature so heavily next season.
2. Manuel Almunia
9 of 10
Certainly the final season in a torrid career at Arsenal. Manuel Almunia was vastly expected to depart the Gunners during the summer, but Wenger kept faith in his error-prone first-choice keeper. A solid start was tainted as monotonous errors emerged once again before an elbow injury ensured the Spaniard failed to feature until into the New Year.
In 14 appearances, Almunia never showed any strong, dominant performances bar an impressive, gallant effort against Barcelona in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16. Of course, there were the usual calamitous errors including a particularly poor effort against West Bromwich Albion.
The new-found form and maturity, before injury, of Lukasz Fabianski and the emphatic emergence of young keeper Wojciech Szczesny ensure there just isn't a place for Manuel Almunia at the Emirates.
1. Arsene Wenger
10 of 10
OK, so he's not a player, but it has to be said it has not been the most pleasing effort from manager Arsene Wenger. The Frenchman failed to properly deal with the defensive woes during the summer, signing only an unknown defender—granted, Koscielny has proved an effective signing, but not one who can deliver silverware.
Come the January transfer window, Wenger neglected the need for a defender, and it cost Arsenal dearly. The Frenchman also was unable to psychologically deal with his team's losses to the likes of Birmingham, Tottenham, West Bromwich and the horror draw to Newcastle as Arsenal quite frankly let the EPL title slip from their grasps.
There was also poor squad rotation, even worse substitution and the usual excuses that protected his players from the fact the some of them just aren't good enough.
The man is a genius, but time and again, he evokes the thought that maybe his time at Arsenal needs to conclude.
