Rabu, 16 Januari 2013

Thomas Vermaelen


5. Thomas Vermaelen

Thomas Vermaelen profile

After the frustration of sitting out most of 2010/11 with a tendon problem, the Belgian centre back quickly showed supporters what they had been missing last season.

The commanding defender suffered an early-season setback that ruled him out for two months from the end of August, but returned with a series of trademark all-action performances at both ends of the pitch.

Solid and tough at the back, he ventured forward to score three times in six games late in the autumn - although his most memorable strikes came in March, when a dramatic winner against Newcastle at Emirates Stadium was followed by the decisive goal against Everton five days later.

Thomas also demonstrated his versatility with a series of solid performances at left back after Kieran Gibbs and Andre Santos sustained mid-season injuries.

Thomas joined Arsenal from Dutch side Ajax in the summer of 2009, quickly becoming a fans’ favourite through his dynamic performances. He was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Season after his first campaign at the Club, to which he contributed eight goals - some of them spectacular.

He is captain of the Belgium national side and led his team out against England at Wembley in June. No stranger to such responsibility, he also captained Ajax - the club where he spent nine years, having joined as a teenager from Belgian side Germinal Beerschot.
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Theo Walcott

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14. Theo Walcott

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Lightning-fast forward Theo Walcott enjoyed perhaps his best Arsenal season to date in 2011/12.

Making 46 appearances, scoring 11 goals and providing 12 assists, the England international was a consistent threat and reaped the benefits of a campaign in which he was untroubled by significant injury.

His brace in the 5-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur - two fine finishes that came after he was criticised for a below-par first-half display - will live long in the memory, but Theo was never far from the action.

Vital winners in each leg of the Champions League qualifying tie against Udinese, a stunning solo goal at Stamford Bridge and a hat-trick of assists in the 7-1 win over Blackburn Rovers all impressed - while Robin van Persie admitted that his relationship with Theo played a big role in his own scoring tally.

Theo’s campaign finished on international duty with England, for whom he made four substitute appearances in Euro 2012. His goal and assist in the 3-2 win over Sweden were perhaps England’s finest moments of the tournament, and Theo’s best for the national team since a hat-trick against Croatia in September 2008.

Having signed for Arsenal from Southampton in 2006, Theo won a call-up to England’s World Cup squad later that year - and became the country’s youngest-ever full international at 17 years and 75 days when he faced Hungary.
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Andrey Arshavin

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23. Andrey Arshavin

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Andrey started the season at Arsenal, returned to Zenit St Petersburg for a successful loan spell and then lit up Euro 2012 with some superb displays.

The diminutive forward played a key role in helping to kick-start the Gunners’ season in September after a difficult opening had left them in the bottom half of the table. In desperate need of a morale-boosting win against Swansea, Arshavin scored the only goal of the game when he took advantage of a Michel Vorm error to secure a vital three points.

But that was far from his only important contribution in Arsenal colours before his February departure to Russia. As one of the elder statesmen featuring in the Carling Cup fourth-round tie against Bolton in October, an inspirational Andrey sent the Gunners on their way to victory by firing home the opening goal and then setting up the winner for Ju Young Park.

Then, in his final match for the Club before his move to Zenit, Andrey reminded everyone of his enduring class with a superb cross to set up Thierry Henry’s last-gasp winner at Sunderland.

Andrey joined Arsenal in February 2009 from hometown club Zenit, and just weeks later made history by scoring all four goals in a memorable 4-4 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.

Captain of his national side, Andrey has regularly stood out at major tournaments, not least during Euro 2008 when his inspired performances helped Russia to the semi-finals.

A huge hit on the domestic front in Russia, Andrey has twice won the Premier League crown in both 2006/07 and 2011/2012, together with the UEFA Cup in 2008. He was named Russian Footballer of the Year in 2006.
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Oliver Giroud

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12. Olivier Giroud

French forward Olivier Giroud joined Arsenal in June 2012 from Ligue 1 champions Montpellier.

Scoring 25 goals in just 43 appearances last season and finishing joint highest scorer in France’s top flight, Olivier enjoyed the most successful campaign of a prolific career - also making his debut for France and going on to represent Les Bleus in their Euro 2012 campaign.

Olivier began his career at Grenoble, going on to enjoy a successful loan spell at third-division side Istres. He then moved onto Tours, where he played alongside Laurent Koscielny and was named the Ligue 2 Player of the Year for 2009/10 after top-scoring in the division.

Those achievements led to him joining Montpellier in July 2010. He scored 14 goals in his first season at the Stade de la Mosson, including the winner in a cup semi-final against Paris St-Germain.

His first international appearance came against the United States in November 2011, debuting on the same night as Koscielny. He scored his first goal at that level in a 2-1 victory over Germany in February 2011.

At 6ft 3in, Olivier adds height to the Gunners’ forward line along with quick feet, intelligent running, clinical finishing ability and a willingness to involve himself fully in build-up play.
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Jack Wilshere


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10. Jack Wilshere

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Jack Wilshere profile
Having experienced a sensational first-team breakthrough in 2010/11, last season proved to be a major disappointment for Jack as injury ruled him out of the entire campaign. Not only that, but his dreams of competing for England at Euro 2012 were dashed too. It was a major blow for the midfielder following such a thrilling debut season, but Jack’s long-awaited return will be a major boost for Arsène Wenger this term.

Seen as arguably the most exciting young English midfielder of his generation, Jack has been with the Club since the age of nine and was a key member of the 2009 FA Youth Cup-winning side. Since then his rate of progression has been nothing short of exceptional, and when he stepped up into the first team he immediately caught the eye with a string of fine displays.

His debut season saw him make 49 appearances in all competitions, and it came as no surprise when he won the PFA Young Player of the Year award. Jack also established himself in the England side too before injury struck, winning five caps for the national team. His return to action will be a source of pleasure to both Arsenal and England fans everywhere.
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