23. Andrey Arshavin – 5.5
The enigmatic Russian again disappointed somewhat for the Gunners. His performances in the first half of the season were not entirely convincing, despite scoring the winner against Swansea City and creating four assists. The decision to substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain against Manchester United was met with mass disapproval from the Arsenal fans, but in no small part due to the fact it was Arshavin coming on; who’s inconsistent, and often seemingly lazy performances have distanced a relationship that was so strong upon his arrival in 2009. His opportunities were limited due to greater competition in the wide areas and this incident seemed to be the final straw, as he was then sent back to Zenit St Petersburg on loan. It remains to be seen whether Arshavin will be sold permanently or if he returns to fight for his place. By all accounts, however, it seemed as if his marquee move came too late and despite flashes of supreme brilliance, too often, he was underwhelming.

25. Carl Jenkinson – 6
The unproven fullback was thrown in at the deep-end following Arsenal’s disastrous summer of transfer activity, starting against Liverpool and then in the humiliating defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford, in which he received a red card. The jury remains out on the Finnish youth international, who has impressed at times, but at others has looked hopelessly out of his depth. He appears to be a rough diamond though, and with more experience and a little guidance along the way, there’s no reason why he can’t go on to be a successful long-term replacement for Bacary Sagna.

26. Emmanuel Frimpong – 6
It was a real rollercoaster of a season for the recently-pledged Ghanaian in his first major campaign in first-team football. After impressing at the 2010 Emirates Cup, Frimpong looked certain to feature last season but a cruciate ligament injury kept him out for the entire campaign. The following pre-season, back to full fitness, he again stood out and was given a number of opportunities. Starting against Liverpool, Frimpong caught the eye but was sent off for a poor challenge before the end, albeit to a standing ovation from the fans. Following the arrival of Mikel Arteta he featured less prominently but the supporters had warmed to his energy, enthusiasm, tenacity and blatant hatred of Samir Nasri. He was loaned to Wolves in order to follow in the footsteps of Jack Wilshere by gaining crucial Premier League experience, and was equally loved there before suffering another serious knee injury. Frimpong brings different qualities to the table but appears to be lacking in a few brain cells and is perhaps concentrating more on his DENCH campaign than his football. Questions remain as to whether he has the mentality, or indeed the all-round ability, to succeed at a club like Arsenal. You sense he’ll be given one more chance to make or break his career.

27. Gervinho – 6
Having joined from Ligue 1 title winners Lille, big things were expected of the Ivorian forward, and he impressed early in the season, despite getting sent off on his debut against Newcastle, scoring goals against Blackburn, Stoke, Wigan and Wolves before suffering a sharp drop in form, most notably after returning from the African Cup of Nations having missed a crucial penalty for his country in the final. With pace and a fearless attitude allowing his to run at defenders, Gervinho is a good, direct asset; one with the potential to improve. He ended his debut season with a respectable eight assists. On the whole, Arsenal fans probably wanted a bit more from him, but I’m willing to stick my neck out and predict he’ll come to life next season with a year in England under his belt.

28. Kieran Gibbs – 7
Another player plagued with injuries throughout his Arsenal career, the promising full-back quietly impressed in his first season as the Gunners’ senior, first-choice left-back. Having made 22 appearances, his most in his four seasons as a first-team player, he demonstrated great improvement; both defensively and offensively, as he grabbed his first two goals in the famous red and white. Question marks remain over his positioning, but he has made crucial interventions, not least in the last game of the season against West Brom, in which his last-ditch sliding tackle prevented a certain goal and essentially saved Arsenal’s third placed finish. His game still has creases that need ironing out, but with plenty of time on his side, there is every chance he can be a regular for both club and country.

29. Marouane Chamakh – 4
The Moroccan striker enjoyed a disastrous second season in English football. Completely cast aside, dwelling in the shadow of Robin van Persie who collected all the plaudits, Chamakh has become a forgotten man at Arsenal. Making only seven starts, he clearly wasn’t trusted by the manager to lead the line effectively on his own. He did score an excellent header against Blackburn early in the season, but just two goals in almost 18 months is simply not good enough for a top-level striker. It’s easy to forget how much Chamakh impressed upon arrival, but he looks completely shorn of confidence and is another player expected to be shown the door in the summer.

30. Yossi Benayoun – 8
It was a mixed season for the Israeli skipper, having joined on loan from Chelsea on Deadline Day. Benayoun was used sparingly in the first half of the season, featuring prominently in the Carling Cup and only featuring in the league as a substitute, usually when the team was ahead, where his experience and know-how were essential in getting Arsenal over the line. With Gervinho out of form, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain being tamed somewhat, it was Benayoun who was trusted out on the left in the latter months of the season, particularly in the big games, such as against Tottenham and Manchester City. His work-rate and impeccable attitude endeared him to the fans, and he began to score a number of crucial goals. He is expected to return to Stamford Bridge, much to the disappointment of the Arsenal supporters who would almost certainly take him back again in a collective heartbeat. His professionalism has been invaluable and if anything, it was a shame he was so underused before the turn of the year.

39. Francis Coquelin – 7.5
2011/12 was a real breakthrough season for the versatile Frenchman, who few would have thought had a future at Arsenal 12 months ago. Injuries, suspensions and a paper-thin squad meant Wenger was somewhat forced to select Coquelin at Old Trafford. In a humiliating afternoon for the Gunners, the 21-year-old was perhaps the only one to emerge with any credit after a commendable performance in the middle of the park. It speaks volumes that he was substituted at 3-1, and the team subsequently collapsed. Coquelin has shown this season he is strong, disciplined and tidy on the ball; equally adept at full-back as he is in his favoured midfield position. Naturally, he can still improve but he has shown great promise and could well be a long-term contender for the holding midfield role.

49. Ignasi Miquel – 6
The Spanish defender also gained some invaluable first-team experience; racking up nine appearances in all competitions. Miquel generally impressed with his composure on the ball and excellent reading of the game but has equally struggled at times; striking the ball against Aaron Ramsey for a calamitous own goal against Liverpool, and being ripped a proverbial new one by Nathan Dyer in an embarrassing defeat to Swansea. The teenager has not featured since that poor display at the Liberty Stadium, but high hopes are still held for Miquel who has a number of attributes in his arsenal, and will undoubtedly benefit from his experiences this campaign. Expect to see him sent on loan next year.

56. Nico Yennaris – 6.5
Few Arsenal fans would have been aware of the half-Greek, half-Chinese full-back at the start of the season, but Yennaris thrust himself into the first-team picture during the infamous defensive crisis of late 2011 and early 2012. Having been given a chance to cut his teeth in the Carling Cup, he was then deployed at right-back against Leeds in the FA Cup before replacing Johan Djourou in the Premier League encounter with Manchester United. Yennaris put in an excellent display under immense pressure, gaining praise from all quarters. He did not feature again for the first team, but featured regularly for the reserve side, in central midfield where he impressed, before moving to Notts County on loan. With plenty of competition in front of him, opportunities will be limited, but the 18-year-old has a bright future and is one to watch in the coming years.

Part One
Part Two

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12. Thierry Henry – 8.5
When Arsenal’s record goalscorer returned in January, some were delighted to have the legendary Frenchman back in the famous red and white whilst others, not unjustifiably so, were sceptical as to what exactly a 34-year-old plying his trade in the MLS could offer. Henry’s contribution was arguably bigger, and more important than any could have realistically imagined. After coming off the bench in an FA Cup tie with Leeds, he received the ball in the area and bent the ball into the far corner in trademark fashion in what will go down as one of the most magical moments in Arsenal’s history. As well as a strike in the 7-1 thrashing of Blackburn which has since been credited as an own goal, he also grabbed a dramatic last-gasp winner against Sunderland in February. To put it frankly, had he not scored it, Arsenal would not have finished third. It seemed as if every player was buoyed by Henry’s presence and, if anything, it was a shame the deal only lasted for two months. He provided a beautifully poetic end to a wonderful Arsenal career. A true legend.

13. Wojciech Szczesny – 7.5
The Polish goalkeeper’s first full season as Arsenal’s number one, in everything but name, can go down as a huge success. Whilst his predecessors had a worrying ability to fall apart at the crucial moment, Szczesny’s supreme confidence makes him an invaluable asset to the side. At six foot five, he has a commanding presence and appears to have the full trust of his fellow defenders. What sets him apart from many other keepers is his concentration; that he can have nothing to do for 80 minutes and then when finally called upon, can make a stunning save. There are still flaws in his game, but with time very much on his side, there is no reason why Szczesny can’t go on to become one of the finest goalkeepers in the world.

14. Theo Walcott – 8
The much-maligned winger has enjoyed arguably his best season at the club, as he has shown great development in several aspects of his game. Walcott very much has the respect of Robin van Persie, for whom he has provided numerous assists; a tangible demonstration of the improvement in his delivery. He looks to be stronger, and using his pace with greater intelligence and has an impressive 11 goals to his name, including crucial strikes against Udinese, Chelsea and Tottenham. Walcott remains far from the finished article, and will probably never become the world beater we were assured he would be in 2006, but he is now one of the first names on the team-sheet and still has the potential to be a key player, for both club and country, for years to come.

15. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 7.5
Having joined from Southampton in the summer, the 18-year-old probably never would have imagined what a whirlwind of a season he has just experienced. He was somewhat eased into the rigours of Premier League and Champions League football in his early months, but a series of impressive performances somewhat forced the manager’s hand, and he was thrown in at the deep end at home to Manchester United. Oxlade-Chamberlain won rave reviews for his display before being controversially substituted, much to the anguish of the fans. He never looked back from then on and enjoyed a sustained run in the side, before his form began to tail off in the closing weeks. Whilst he is still raw, and there are aspect of his game that need improving, his contribution has been vital for the club. With four goals to his name already, there is no doubt he has made a big impact, and there is plenty more to come. A call-up for England’s 2012 campaign capped a fine debut season.

16. Aaron Ramsey – 6.5
It was a mixed season for the Welsh captain; his first full campaign since breaking his leg at the Britannia Stadium. Whilst few doubt his energy and commitment, there is no doubt Ramsey suffered from a dose of inconsistency. It was perhaps too much to ask for him to be the focal point of the midfield. There were positives; namely a late winner against Marseille in the Champions League, but the tragic death of Gary Speed appeared to have a large effect on Ramsey and his performances and he was ultimately replaced by Tomas Rosicky as a regular in the side in the second half of the season. The Welshman still has the potential to be a fantastic player but remains rough around the edges. Some sections of the fan-base are getting restless, but it’s important to remain patient and keep faith in a player that is clearly immensely talented.

17. Alex Song – 8
The stock of the seemingly-ever-improving Song continues to rise, as the Cameroon midfielder added more strings to his bow this season. A clipped through ball has become something of a trademark, as he has provided an impressive 16 assists in total. Playing as a deep-sitting, holding midfielder, Song is consequently allowed more time on the ball than, say, the likes of Ramsey further up the field, and therefore has more freedom to execute such passes. Some say that his ability to play the ‘Hollywood ball’ has gone to his head somewhat, and that he overcomplicates issues at times. It could also be argued that his defensive discipline has also gone amiss. On his day however, Song truly remains one of the finest midfielders in Europe: strong, composed and with an impressive range of passing, he’d be an asset to any side.

18. Sébastien Squillaci – 4.5
The experienced defender only featured a handful of times for the Gunners as, much like Manuel Almunia, he was frozen out of the first-team picture. He still hasn’t convinced vast sections of the crowd, and evidently Wenger is losing faith in the Frenchman, as a pitiful four starts will testify. A substitute appearance against Fulham was his last in the league, in which his poor header culminated in Bobby Zamora notching a late winner. If Arsenal can find someone willing to pay Squillaci’s wages, expect him to also be shown the door this summer.

19. Jack Wilshere – n/a
Various injuries prevented the promising midfielder from kicking a ball in anger at all this season, and his presence was undoubtedly missed at times. Wilshere provides energy and enthusiasm as well as an abundance of technical ability and confidence that belies his tender years. If there’s a positive to be taken, it’s that he didn’t have the pressure of being England’s next great hope thrust upon him in every game. Hopefully he can come back stronger next season.

20. Johan Djourou – 5
After the previous campaign was almost certainly his best in an Arsenal shirt, it was a shattering fall from grace this season for the Swiss defender. Injuries to fullbacks meant that Djourou was often deployed out of position at right-back, often to disastrous effect. A particularly woeful performance against Manchester United saw him substituted at half time, for the inexperienced Nico Yennaris. His displays in the middle also left a lot to be desired, and he appears to have lost the trust of the fans. Djourou is clearly a talented footballer, and has all the assets needed to succeed, but looks awfully short on confidence, and with more competition than ever in front of him, one has to wonder if he’ll ever make the grade at Arsenal.

21. Lukasz Fabianski - 4
Following the rise of his fellow Pole, Fabianski’s opportunities were limited, as he made just six appearances. It’s difficult and perhaps unfair to assess keepers when they feature so sparingly; most needing a sustained run in the side in order to demonstrate some consistency, but the 27-year-old continually looks like an accident waiting to happen. By all accounts, he has stated his desire to leave and will surely be granted his wish this summer.

Part One

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1. Manuel Almunia – n/a
The Spaniard was sent on loan to West Ham early on in the season but returned after failing to make an impression. Almunia didn’t feature for Arsenal once and was only named on the bench a handful of times. With his contract up in the summer, he’ll be departing and dare I say there will be few tears shed.

2. Abou Diaby – n/a
So much promise, so little delivered, but Diaby is not really to blame for that. After having his leg broken at Sunderland by Dan Smith, now plying his trade at Blyth Spartans, the Frenchman has never enjoyed a sustained run in the side, as his progress has constantly been disrupted by injuries. Diaby has only played six times this season, all of which were from the bench. His Arsenal career lies in the balance despite his undisputed ability.

3. Bacary Sagna – 7.5
Sandwiched between two horrific leg breaks, the dreadlocked full-back was his usual consistent, reliable self, turning in 29 appearances, almost all of excellent standards. His performance in Milan is one for the scrapbook as it will be considered one of Sagna’s seldom-seen bad displays in an Arsenal shirt. His presence was often missed and scored one of the most crucial goals in the season, to ignite the famous comeback against Tottenham. He still remains the finest right-back in Europe.

4. Per Mertesacker – 7
After joining on Deadline Day, the big German was thrown into the deep end immediately, as he stepped in for the injured Thomas Vermaelen. He grew in confidence as the season went on and racked up 27 appearances in his debut season before injuring his knee at Sunderland in February. What Mertesacker lacks in pace, he makes up for in intelligence, and his experience and calming influence was blatantly missed in the closing months of the season. Having him back in the squad in the next campaign will be a major plus point.

5. Thomas Vermaelen – 7.5
The 26-year-old recovered well from an injury that kept him out for the vast majority of the previous campaign, and remains a firm favourite with the Arsenal fans for his fearless approach to defending. However, mistakes are slowly creeping into Vermaelen’s game, or at least they’re becoming more obvious. His desire to burst forward and help the attack has often been to the team’s detriment as he has been frequently caught out of position. His goalscoring exploits are something of a saving grace however, and the importance of his last-gasp winner at home to Newcastle cannot be understated.

6. Laurent Koscielny – 9
In an Arsenal defence that has conceded far too many goals, there has been one leading light. Koscielny impressed in his first season but struggled at times to cope with the rigorous, physical nature of the Premier League. He has since bulked up and added further steel to his impressive arsenal that already consisted of pace, composure on the ball and terrific aerial ability, making him just about the complete defender. His rapid improvement and unerring consistency has not gone unnoticed and were it not for the Arsenal skipper, Koscielny would be a shoo-in for the Player of the Season award.

7. Tomas Rosicky – 7.5
The injury-plagued midfielder had never really imposed himself before this season. Being given the freedom to play in the middle rather than out wide undoubtedly had a huge effect, as Rosicky became a key player for Arsenal in the second half of the season. He scored goals against Tottenham and Milan and brought a much-needed zing to the Gunners midfield, with his dynamic passing and darting runs into the box. If he can remain fit, there is every hope that the Czech captain can make up for lost time and be a force for years to come.

8. Mikel Arteta – 9
To many looking in from the outside, Arteta looked a like-for-like replacement for Cesc Fábregas. Not only did they share nationality and nice hair, but were often found popping up with goals and assists in and around the box. What surprised many following the Spaniard’s move from Everton was the fact he was not deployed as an attacking midfielder, but instead as a holding player; pulling the strings from deep and using his vast experience to great effect. With one of the highest pass completion rates in the league, he is essential to the Gunners’ style of play, and the fact that, before the last day of the season, Arsenal had not won without Arteta in the side is indicative of his importance. Despite being at the club for less than a year, he is becoming the heartbeat of the side.

9. Park Chu-Young - 5
Another Deadline Day signing, the South Korean striker joined with a decent goalscoring record at International level, and was expected to be eased in and used sparingly as backup to his peers. However, I doubt anyone expected just how sparingly he’d be utilised; one substitiute appearance being the extent to his involvement in the Premier League. Park’s lack of game time has been incredibly bizarre and will have to go down as one of Wenger’s worst ever signings. A tidy finish against Bolton in the Carling Cup shows that he clearly has some ability, but for one reason or another has simply not been trusted by the boss. It remains to be seen whether he will still be at Arsenal next season.

10. Robin van Persie – 9.5
What else is there left to say about van Persie? After sweeping up the Golden Boot as well as the PFA and FWA Player of the Year awards, it’s difficult to say anything about the Dutchman that hasn’t been said a hundred times. To describe Arsenal as a one-man team is ever so slightly hyperbolic, but it’s fair to say they wouldn’t be in the top four without him. 37 goals prove his worth alone but the fact he has developed into such a complete striker means he’s invaluable to the club. Whilst he’s always had an eye for a spectacular strike or a mouth-watering piece of skill, by becoming the captain and the hub of the team, he’s had to change his game to become a more rounded player. The hard work is evidently paying off as he’s now lethal in the 18-yard box, deceptively good in the air and perfectly capable of holding the ball up and bringing others into play. He’ll be in demand this summer and Arsenal will undoubtedly do everything in their power to keep him.

11. André Santos – 7
A beaming smile and endearing grammatical errors on Twitter have helped Santos become warmly welcomed into the gooner community, but his performances on the pitch have divided opinion amongst fans and pundits. Whilst like any traditional Brazilian he loves to attack from deep, question marks remain over his concentration and defensive discipline. An ankle injury that kept him out for three months curtailed his progress, but on the whole, Santos can be pleased with his first season at the club in which he notched three goals. His versatility makes him a crucial addition to the squad, and he’ll be looking to kick on consistently next campaign.

Look out for Parts Two & Three in the coming days.

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Wins against Norwich and West Brom are far from a pipedream; in fact on paper you could hardly pick two nicer, rosier games: both middling in mid-table with nothing to play for –far safer opponents than ones chasing a European spot or battling to stay in the division. However, football is of course not played on paper, and complacency cannot creep in at such a vital stage of the season.

The win against Manchester City early in the month will go down as one of the finest results, and performances, of the season, as the Gunners completely outplayed the champions-elect, with Mikel Arteta netting a late winner. The Spaniard’s injury a week later threatened to derail Arsenal’s charge for Europe, as a league victory without the former Everton man’s presence in midfield still fails to exist: a stat that proves his importance to the club more than any other.

A comfortable victory over Wolves followed, with goalscorers Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott and Yossi Benayoun each impressing throughout. When Wigan came to The Emirates, however, Arsène Wenger’s side barely turned up, as Roberto Martinez’s unorthodox tactics paid off as the Latics stole a famous victory. Arsenal have not won since; managing a bore draw against a weakened Chelsea side and a respectable point away to Stoke.

As is often the case with an uninspiring month, suitable candidates are few and far between. Van Persie, not unjustifiably, has been accused of going off the boil in recent weeks, but still managed to find the net twice in April. It appears he still scores when he wants. It would be tempting to name Arteta Player of the Month considering the impact his absence has had on the side but it’s difficult to fully justify giving it to a man who only featured sparingly.

Among the other contenders are Kieran Gibbs who has fought off stiff competition from Andre Santos to make the left-back spot his own, Laurent Koscielny who yet again has been gargantuan at the heart of the Gunners’ defence and Tomas Rosicky who has performed consistently for as long a period as we’ve ever seen in the red and white of Arsenal. The dynamism he brings to the table is invaluable against tight opposition defences.

This month’s winner however is not one of the headline names. Not someone who is going to sell tens of thousands of replica shirts. He remains quiet but is extremely reliable and unerringly efficient in the work he does. Player of the Month for April is the aforementioned Israeli skipper, Yossi Benayoun. The 31-year-old was snapped up on loan from Chelsea during the Deadline Day ‘trolley dash’ back in August. Many expected him to be a bit-part player and until recently he has been just that.

In his first few months at the club he was used mainly as a substitute, usually when the team was in possession of a slender lead. Benayoun is one of the best players in the league to have in these situations; he is sensible and experienced enough not to do anything stupid, and is excellent at recycling the ball and instigating attacking moves.

His workrate is second-to-note, as was evidenced this month. Wigan scored their first goal after breaking from an Arsenal corner. The player busting a gut to get back was not Thomas Vermaelen or Andre Santos but instead, it was Benayoun. Similarly, it was he who hounded Stoke’s Ryan Shotton into submission, and subsequently supplied the clever reverse pass to Rosicky to assist van Persie’s goal at the Britannia.

Benayoun has recently become an integral member of the side. The biggest compliment you could pay him is that Wenger considers him a ‘big game player’ in the same way Park Ji-Sung is perennially present on the big occasions for Manchester United and, to a lesser extent, Salomon Kalou is trusted for Chelsea. He excelled against Tottenham in February and was handed a start ahead of both Gervinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the clash with Manchester City, and once again impressed with his very complete contribution.

A goal against Wolves was the least he deserved and his absence was telling against Chelsea, when he was of course ineligible, as the Gunners lacked his guile and class in the final third. In my opinion, Benayoun has been severely underused in his time at the club, particularly as he has proven his worth to such an extent in the past few weeks. He appears to be a model professional and has undoubtedly been the stand out in a real month of ‘meh’ from Arsène Wenger’s side.

It’s unlikely that Roberto Di Matteo, or whoever takes the helm at Stamford Bridge, will allow Benayoun to leave permanently, almost certainly not to a rival, so it seems we may be seeing the last of the Israeli in the red and white. The vast majority of Arsenal fans would agree that this is a great shame; he is an excellent asset to have and I fear the qualities he brings to the table will be missed next season.

March: Bacary Sagna
February: Robin van Persie
January: Tomas Rosicky
December: Laurent Koscielny
November: Robin van Persie
October: Robin van Persie
September: Mikel Arteta
August: Wojciech Szczesny

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The number of candidates for this month’s award is plentiful. Robin van Persie continues to be the fulcrum of the side, bagging three goals in March on top of his perennial excellence in terms of his all-round contribution. Laurent Koscielny and Thomas Vermaelen have formed an excellent partnership at the back, with the latter particularly impressing after scoring winning goals against Newcastle and Everton, putting his wretched display at Loftus Road to one side.

Alex Song is developing nicely into a very complete midfielder; combining his excellent ability to put a foot in and break up the play, with his ever-increasing attacking threat as he claimed a couple of classy assists. The lofted through ball with which he is becoming synonymous is proving to be quite the weapon in his already well-stocked arsenal.

Theo Walcott and Tomas Rosicky, both often criticised in the past for not showing enough consistency, delivered just that in March with a series of excellent performances, whilst Mikel Arteta’s stock continues to rise after another impressive month, exemplified by a rocket of a freekick against Aston Villa.

The winner this month, however, plays in a position that is too often disregarded in modern football, as it genuinely is becoming one of the most important roles in the game. If anyone doubts the importance of two recognised full-backs look no further than Arsenal this season. The Gunners have had a torrid time with injuries in these positions and consequently results on the pitch have suffered. It is therefore no coincidence that the club’s return to form has come at the same time as the return of certain defensive personnel.

Kieran Gibbs has never really enjoyed a sustained run in the Arsenal team but following Gael Clichy’s departure last summer, he was promoted to first choice left-back. However, a series of injuries stunted his progress and only recently has he begun to show his ability on a consistent basis. Much like his predecessors in this position, what I admire about Gibbs is his exceptional recovery pace. Naturally as a young, raw, maybe even naïve talent, he’ll make mistakes but there is enough about him to make amends. A goal against Aston Villa epitomised a fine month, but it is his French counterpart on the opposite flank who picks up the award for March.

Bacary Sagna remains one of the most underrated players in Europe. One of the great disappointments in recent years, for me at least, is how often he has been overlooked in terms of personal honours, assumedly due to playing in a less glamorous position. But the bottom line is that he has been nothing short of exceptional since he reinstated himself in the Arsenal XI following a leg-break sustained at White Hart Lane in October.

Sagna embodies everything about the modern-day full-back and Arsenal’s results have improved immeasurably since his return. So why is this the case? Whilst some of his many comrades in Arsenal’s rear-guard have somewhat floundered since his arrival in 2007, Sagna has remained strong, brave, intelligent and outrageously consistent. For several years now, his defensive capabilities have never really been in doubt.

The importance of having players in their preferred positions cannot be understated. The return of Sagna and Gibbs has allowed the aforementioned partnership of Koscielny and Vermaelen to develop. With recognised fullbacks in the side, Arsenal are able to keep a wide, structured defensive shape. Certainly when Vermaelen was deployed at left-back, too often he was caught sucked in towards his more favoured central position.

But the dreadlocked 27-year-old adds so much in an attacking sense. Essentially he has become the starting point. In recent weeks, Wojciech Szczesny has often opted to roll the ball out to the full-back, as a sure-fire way of retaining possession and building attacks. Especially when teams flood the midfield against Arsenal and look to play through the middle, Sagna is an invaluable asset to have to exploit the space out wide.

When in these positions, however, for some, question marks remained over his ability to create something tangible in terms of an assist through a cross. Certainly upon arriving at the club, it was clear improvement was necessary, but he has evidently worked hard on the training ground and is reaping the benefits. His delicious delivery for van Persie at Anfield went some way to dispelling those ever-shrinking doubts. Slowly but surely, Bacary Sagna is gaining the credit he has always deserved.

February: Robin van Persie
January: Tomas Rosicky
December: Laurent Koscielny
November: Robin van Persie
October: Robin van Persie
September: Mikel Arteta
August: Wojciech Szczesny

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The cup catastrophes, not unjustifiably so, have thrust Arsenal into another media-imposed crisis (we had another one but six months ago, you’ll recall). Even if on paper, reclaiming 4th position in the Premier League is nothing to write home about, in terms of its financial importance and the prospect of playing Champions League football again next season (until the first knockout stage of course), it’s absolutely critical, and Arsenal’s league form has been near flawless in a month overshadowed by other disappointments.

A tame draw at Bolton was soon forgotten and rapidly followed by three victories; each glorious in their own right. The 7-1 thrashing of Blackburn Rovers brought a sense of nostalgia as the good old days of ruthless Arsenal attacks returned. Seven days later, Arsene Wenger’s side made their first of two trips to the Stadium of Light and came from behind to win late-on; particularly impressive considering the dramatic transformation Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill has made since joining the club. The North London Derby soon followed, and Arsenal claimed a famous victory. After falling 2-0 down, the team rallied and ended up winning 5-2 in the magnificent sunshine.

Consequently, there are a number of candidates for this month’s award. Alex Song continues to develop into a very complete midfielder, even if he turned in a couple of seldom-seen bad performances in February. Mikel Arteta was equally disappointing against AC Milan but remains outrageously consistent in the league and continues to be a fundamental cog in the Arsenal side. Last month’s winner, Tomas Rosicky continues to grow in confidence and delivered a well-deserved, well-overdue goal against Tottenham in another impressive four weeks. The likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Aaron Ramsey have both made vital contributions at times but have either not had enough minutes on the pitch or demonstrated enough consistency to merit this month’s gong.

Since-departed legend Thierry Henry is a genuine contender, as he proved his return to the Emirates Stadium was not totally out of sentiment, netting the last-gasp winner at Sunderland after scoring the seventh in the demolition of Blackburn. Even that cannot simply be considered a token contribution, as Arsenal only lead Chelsea in the table on goals scored, thereby highlighting Henry’s strike as the difference between the sides. It could make all the difference come the end of the season.

As he so often does, Theo Walcott encapsulates the ups and downs of Arsenal Football Club. The rapid, exciting progression of Oxlade-Chamberlain has seen the pressure crank up on Walcott and some would argue it began to show in February. More than once he started on the bench, for good reason, particularly after a dreadful display in the San Siro that saw him hauled off at half time. But just when everyone is about to give up on the player once and for all, he delivers something special. Three excellent assists against Blackburn proved his worth, and this was soon followed by a brace on Derby Day. The first was a delightful dink over the keeper after a typically terrible first touch, the second a confident drive into the far corner. He is some way from being the saviour of English football, but Walcott remains a valuable asset for club and country. It’s easy to forget how young he is, and that there is still plenty of time for him to develop. Lionel Messi called him “one of the most dangerous players I’ve ever played against,” and Robin van Persie has personally vouched for him in various interviews.

And it is the skipper himself, not for the first time and probably not for the last either, who claims the award this month. His goalscoring exploits, which included a hat trick against Blackburn and an exquisite goal against Tottenham, alone are probably enough to sweep up the honour but as we all know by now, van Persie is so much more than that. My list of superlatives is genuinely running thin, and I’m scratching my head as to how to express his brilliance in a way that hasn’t already been repeated a dozen times.

His individual skill was perhaps highlighted most this month; he was desperately unlucky not to light up a dreary affair at the Reebok Stadium as he performed a terrific dragback followed by an audacious right-footed chip. Only the crossbar denied him another goal of the season contender. Similarly, against Spurs, with ten minutes remaining, the Dutchman demonstrated his outrageous ability with a beautiful pirouette in the centre circle. Even with three opposition players breathing down his neck, van Persie maintained his composure, and more importantly possession; shielding the ball excellently before releasing a teammate. No matter where he is on the pitch, his contribution is telling. In the same match, Tottenham had a corner that fell dangerously in the area. The man sliding in to clear was not Thomas Vermaelen or Laurent Koscielny but Captain Fantastic himself. Van Persie is as brave as he is deadly in the opposition penalty area. By all accounts he is a fine leader on and off the pitch.

Even against Milan, where almost each and every one of his colleagues hid and floundered, he stepped up to the plate and could easily have scored on more than one occasion were it not for some fine goalkeeping. In the cup game against Sunderland, he was isolated up front but still managed to engineer Arsenal’s sole opportunity for Gervinho who failed to capitalise. Even if it is to a lesser extent at times, he finds a way of getting involved, regardless of whether the opposition are doubling-up on him, suffocating the space for him to operate in. van Persie is good enough to release himself from these shackles. He is just about unplayable.

The one-man team accusations remain childish and not entirely accurate but the fact of the matter is, Arsenal would be in big trouble without van Persie. He proved this month that he is quite simply the best player in the British Isles. By some distance.

January: Tomas Rosicky
December: Laurent Koscielny
November: Robin van Persie
October: Robin van Persie
September: Mikel Arteta
August: Wojciech Szczesny

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Progress into the 5th round of the FA Cup has brightened a dreary few weeks but there is no doubt this will go down as another unsuccessful month during a trademark topsy-turvy season, even despite the return of the King himself, Thierry Henry. Consequently, there are few candidates for the standout player award.

Those in with a shout include December’s winner Laurent Koscielny, who, even with the backline as a unit struggling to perform, in no small part due to the number of injuries Arsenal have to their defensive personnel, has turned in consistent performances, and even claimed a rare goal at Craven Cottage. His stock continues to rise amongst fans, most of whom felt the jury was still out on the French centre-half six months ago, and more significantly, the media, who are finally appreciating his sheer brilliance. Arsene Wenger was quoted a few days ago as calling him “one of the top-class central defenders in the Premier League.” I doubt anyone who watches Koscielny on a regular basis would disagree.

Further up the pitch, the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott have blown hot and cold; their inconsistency undoubtedly a by-product of being used far too regularly. On the whole, their performances have been commendable this season but I fear too much expectation and responsibility are being thrust upon them too fast. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is another one who fits into this bracket, although he has been protected far more by the boss; ironically too much so some fans would argue, judging by the boos the manager received when taking off the exciting winger against Manchester United. Despite his limited game time, The Ox’s excellent displays make him a genuine contender.

Not for the first time, nor for the last one would assume, Robin van Persie is once again in the running. His form has often led to the opposition doubling up on him, denying him any space to weave his magic. As a result, he hasn’t been quite as inspirational as he was earlier in the season, but he has still garnered an impressive four goals, equalling fellow Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp’s total of 120 goals in the famous red and white. Quite possibly, the fact that he has won the award twice already is about the only think stopping him from snatching the honour for January as well.

The winner this month is the forgotten man at Arsenal; so ravaged by injury he hasn’t enjoyed a sustained run in the side until 2007. It is perhaps a bizarre choice considering he actually only started two matches, but I feel his impact has been significant enough to merit the award.

In a disappointing month on the whole, Tomas Rosicky has been nothing short of magnificent in the middle of the park. Particularly with Mikel Arteta’s absence through injury, the Gunners were lacking someone to really control and dictate the game by spreading a range of passes from deep. The Czech captain has proven his worth by stepping up to the plate, and delivering world class performances.

As well as his aforementioned distribution, Rosicky also has a real cutting edge in the final third and, even if just two goals in two years suggests otherwise, he is perfectly capable when it comes to shooting. He possesses a deceptive burst of pace and is particularly difficult to stop when he turns away from his marker into space with a trademark bit of trickery. His experience is invaluable and he is just the player you want to bring on when narrowly leading; a cool head to organise the team and see the game out. I doubt it’s coincidence that Rosicky has often been missing when Arsenal have capitulated so frequently, in such ugly fashion.

One aspect of his game I personally love is his tackling. Well, the fact that he’s willing to get stuck in is always pleasing, particularly when these continental types are not supposed to be up for the battle. But it his technique that is so fascinating. So often we see Martin Taylors and Ryan Shawcrosses flying into challenges completely out of control. Unsurprisingly, it all ends in tears and, therefore, Rosicky’s ability in promoting tackling as an art really emphasises the fact that these players are simply thugs. Watch the way he hooks his foot round in order to nick the ball away from his opponent, or simply the fact it is always done with his boot pointing downwards, reducing, if not eliminating the risk of his studs shattering another players’ fibula. In a nutshell, he’s got just about everything needed for a modern day midfielder.

Some would argue awarding Player of the Month to a man who barely featured shows just how bad January has been for Arsenal, but I’d counter that by saying it’s indicative of Rosicky’s quality. His contract expires in the summer. He has certainly proven himself to the club and I for one would be particularly disappointed if we had to go our separate ways, and end a career that has never really been given the chance to take off.

December: Laurent Koscielny
November: Robin van Persie
October: Robin van Persie
September: Mikel Arteta
August: Wojciech Szczesny

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The new additions have undoubtedly had a positive effect on the squad. Per Mertesacker is growing with every game, not literally of course, he can’t really get much taller, and is proving to be the calming influence we all craved for. What he lacks in mobility, he makes up for in his reading of the game. Should he continue to improve, there’s no reason why he can’t become one of the best defenders in the country.

Fellow newcomer, and previous Player of the Month winner, Mikel Arteta is another candidate. His performances have been consistent and borderline outstanding. His pass completion rate of 90.3% this season is one of the highest in the Premier League. Should you want to hear me drool over the Spaniard some more, I wrote an article on his influence and growing importance to the side here.

Robin van Persie has continued his remarkable goalscoring habits, even if he narrowly missed out on breaking Alan Shearer’s record for goals in a calendar year, with four strikes in December, including a goal of the season contender against Everton. The cynics among us would argue that the prospect of breaking the record played on his mind a little bit and was detrimental to the team during the frustrating draw with Wolves. Even if that is the case, it’s hard to knock the captain’s contribution; not just in scoring vital goals but in his outstanding link-up play in and around the box.

One relatively recent addition to his arsenal of tricks is the way he shifts his feet to get to the by-line, and then manages to scoop a cross in towards the back post. This is an incredibly difficult skill to execute and one that would be devastating if his teammates got into such positions more often. I could talk about van Persie all day, and seem to have done so far too often. Unlike the previous two months, however, the flying Dutchman does not pick up December’s prestigious award.

That honour belongs to arguably the most improved player in the country: step forward, Laurent Koscielny. His arrival last summer for £8million raised more than just Carlo Ancelotti’s perennially erected eyebrow. His debut campaign was a bit of a bumpy ride, kicking off with a baptism of fire at Anfield on the opening day: being on the receiving end of a red-card offense by Joe Cole before getting sent off himself. More ups and downs were to come; as outstanding performances against Chelsea and Barcelona in particular were intertwined with some sloppy mistakes; not least of which his part in conceding the now infamous goal at Wembley in the Carling Cup Final.

I was of the opinion that both he and Wojciech Szczesny were equally at fault; not one more than the other. Every man and his dog knew that the Polish keeper’s supreme confidence and self-belief would allow him to recover from the mistake but some feared the worst for Koscielny. Coincidentally, it has made him stronger, and with a real learning curve of a first season under his belt, Arsenal fans are now seeing the very best of the French defender, who is slowly getting the recognition his consistent displays have merited for a long time.

In a nutshell, he has all the attributes one needs to succeed as a top-level centre-half: pace, aerial ability (he wins an average of 2.1 aerial duals per game, one of the highest levels in the Premier League), and excellent intelligence in his reading of the game. He also possesses an exquisite passing range, and genuinely one of the cleanest first touches in the league: Koscielny is capable of plucking the ball out of the air with the same authority as the most seasoned of strikers. These attributes often make him the instigator of Arsenal attacks, and he has recently begun to bring the ball out from the back in the same manner as Thomas Vermaelen and, before him, Kolo Toure, to much success.

As some of you may know, I rate each of the players after every match and unsurprisingly, Koscielny has hit the illustrious 8 rating on two occasions during December. He has been consistently brilliant since the opening day of the season; often having to play at full-back to compensate for injuries, and doing so with minimal fuss. For me, he is genuinely one of the finest defenders in Europe. Whether everyone else will soon appreciate this is another question.

November: Robin van Persie
October: Robin van Persie
September: Mikel Arteta
August: Wojciech Szczesny

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Manuel Almunia n/a, Abou Diaby n/a, Bacary Sagna 5.5, Per Mertesacker 6, Thomas Vermaelen 7, Laurent Koscielny 7, Tomas Rosicky 6.5, Mikel Arteta 7, Park Chu-Young 5.5, Robin van Persie 8, Andre Santos 6.5, Wojciech Szczesny 6.5, Theo Walcott 6.5, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 6, Aaron Ramsey 6.5, Alex Song 7, Sebastien Squillaci 6.5, Jack Wilshere n/a, Johan Djourou 6, Lukasz Fabianski 4.5, Andrey Arshavin 5.5, Vito Mannone 4, Carl Jenkinson 6, Emmanuel Frimpong 6, Gervinho 6, Kieran Gibbs 6.5, Marouane Chamakh 6, Yossi Benayoun 7, Francis Coquelin 6, Nico Yennaris 6, Ignasi Miquel 6

Apologies that it’s all a bit squashed, the publishing platform won’t allow tables, sadly, so we’ll have to make do with this!

Despite getting my vote for a player of the month award, and solidarity throughout the season so far, Szczesny’s average rating is a decent if unspectacular 6.5. However this is no reflection on his ability, mainly an indictment of how much Arsenal have improved defensively, which subsequently has resulted in less to do for the Polish keeper. You can only be rated on your involvement and without doubt since the first few games, Szczesny has been far from the busiest player on the pitch.

Bacary Sagna’s low rating is most unlike the consistent full-back. This is simply because I started doing the ratings in September and therefore only caught a couple of his performances before his nasty injury. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if by the time I produce the final averages in May, Sagna’s rating has shot up to a far more respectable figure.

The sound ratings of the likes of Tomas Rosicky, Yossi Benayoun and even the much maligned Sebastien Squillaci shows that there is some depth to Arsenal’s squad; that players can come in and perform when the regulars are unavailable or in need of a breather.

At the other end of the scale, a rating of a mere 5.5 shows that Andrey Arshavin is not performing consistently enough as his competitors for starting berths, Theo Walcott and Gervinho, which fully justifies his role as a bit-part figure at the moment. It will be interesting to see if he can up his game in the second half of the season.

Finally it must be noted that the majority of the new signings have performed admirably; Mikel Arteta has been consistent in the middle of the park, Per Mertesacker is beginning to find his feet, as was Andre Santos before his injury and the youngsters like Carl Jenkinson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have done well when called upon. Park Chu-Young’s rating is perhaps a little disappointing but he hasn’t been given many opportunities and the manager warned that he would need an extended period for adaptation. He’ll be another one to keep an eye on at the business end of the season.

Stand-out performers: van Persie, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Song, Arteta
Disappointments: Park, Djourou, Fabianski, Arshavin

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Robin van Persie’s outrageous form has led to the cynics describing Arsenal as a one-man team; an understandable if inaccurate conclusion considering how much he brings to the table. As the man himself has said, his goal record would not be nearly as impressive were it not for the likes of Gervinho and, in particular, Theo Walcott. The 22-year-old has so often been on the end of criticism; with pundits and sceptical fans alike pointing to his erratic decision making in the final third and lack of a genuine ‘football brain.’

He still flatters to deceive for his country, but Walcott has enjoyed a quietly consistent start to the season. His final ball has improved ten-fold; the delivery from wide is now accurate and penetrative. There is a definite aura of confidence about Walcott this year; even the negative kind in which he has barracked teammates and officials for wrong decisions. Although he must be wary of crossing the line into petulance, this new attitude is indicative of how he is grown; a far cry from the shy teenager who emerged onto the scene in 2006, and I for one welcome this more vocal version.

Elsewhere in the side, Thomas Vermaelen has returned and made telling contributions at both ends, as Gooners have come to expect from the Belgian International. In a nutshell, Arsenal are simply a much better team with Vermaelen in the side, and everyone will be hoping he can enjoy a sustained period of fitness. To his left on the pitch, Andre Santos has come on leaps and bounds after a shaky start and has established himself as first-choice and a genuine upgrade on the departed Gael Clichy. Alex Song is another contender for this month’s award with a serious of colossal performances in the middle of the park, particularly against Borussia Dortmund where he showed exquisite footwork to supply van Persie for a crucial goal. There were obviously many other factors, but it was no coincidence that Song was missing during Arsenal’s fragile period that included the infamous Old Trafford debacle.

Unsurprisingly, however, the skipper is the winner, for the second consecutive month. I am seriously running out of superlatives for Robin van Persie. It’s a struggle to say something that hasn’t already been said a hundred times. He is a truly world class player with an abundance of natural ability. His goalscoring record speaks for itself; unmatched by anybody in the country. Perhaps one aspect that came to light in November was the sheer variety of weapons in his arsenal. We all know how gifted he is with his left-foot, but van Persie has also scored headers and deft chips with his right-foot. His competence on his right side borders on ambidexterity, which can be said of only a handful of players.

As I said earlier, we are not a one-man team, that’s a childish accusation, but there is no denying we are over-reliant on Robin, in that I don’t know where the goals are going to come from should he go missing with Chamakh out of sorts and Gervinho having lost his shooting boots. I guess for now we should just enjoy watching a player at the very top of his game. For all we know, he might not be here this time next year.

October: Robin van Persie
September: Mikel Arteta
August: Wojciech Szczesny

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Despite stringing together a few victories, for the third month running there are minimal contenders for this award, with consistency being the key amongst the majority of the squad. After flirting with the treatment table at the end of September, Laurent Koscielny made a swift transition back into the side and turned a handful of impressive displays, including a man-of-the-match performance in Marseille.

Aaron Ramsey also made his most significant contribution in France with a last-gasp winner but has gradually become a more influential figure in the Gunners’ starting eleven. A beautiful clipped through ball to set up Gervinho against Stoke, a goal in the disappointing North London derby and an excellent performance against Chelsea have established the Welshman as a worthy contender for this month’s award.

Previous winners Wojciech Szczesny and Mikel Arteta continue to impress without performing any particular heroics as does Andrey Arshavin who has provided moments of inspiration between doing sweet FA elsewhere on the pitch.

But the choice this month was made easy as pie thanks to a certain Dutchman’s continual willingness to pull out his shovel and dig his teammates out of mediocrity. If there was any doubt, Captain Fantastic himself, Mr Robin van Persie wins my highly prestigious vote at a canter.

There were times last season where many members of the Arsenal team essentially threw in the towel and looked to Cesc Fabregas as if to say, “come on then skip, get us out of this hole.” More often than not, he did, and following his departure I admit to being, shall we say sceptical, about our ability to cope when the going gets tough. Much to Gooners’ delight, van Persie has realised that he is our sole world class player and has stepped up to become an absolute talisman; a player we genuinely cannot do without.

Even amidst the darkness of the early days of the season, van Persie’s movement in and around the box provided a little respite for his misfiring teammates. His supreme skill allows him to emerge from the shackles of defenders and provide his next bit of magic; be that a blistering attempt on goal or a Dennis Bergkamp-esque through ball.

If there was ever a moment that epitomised the glaring similarities between the Arsenal skipper and the former Dutch legend, it came against Sunderland when van Persie exquisitely rolled his man before executing an outrageous chip, with only the width of the post denying him a truly wonderful goal.

He hit the back of the net on more than enough occasions. After reaching the 100 goal mark last month, and therefore firmly placing him alongside the likes of Cliff Bastin, Ian Wright and Thierry Henry in the history books, van Persie grabbed another seven goals of paramount importance. A goal inside 30 seconds at home to Sunderland was cancelled out by former gunner, Seb Larsson, but in typical convincing fashion, the flying Dutchman scored a terrific freekick to win the game.

The following week against Stoke, van Persie was rested on the bench, with Arsene Wenger fully aware of the need to wrap his prized asset in cotton wool and keep him fresh for the many challenges that lie ahead. With the game deadlocked and Marouane Chamakh failing to make sufficient impact, the captain was called from the bench to deliver the goods and that’s exactly what he did, with two trademark ‘fox in the box’ instinctive finishes. An incredible hattrick against rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge proved his supreme quality once and for all, and took his 2011 goal tally to a quite ridiculous 28 in 27 games.

Common opinion seems to be that van Persie’s best position is in ‘the hole,’ just behind another striker. Whilst he is perfectly adept in this deeper role, Arsenal would be sacrificing his predatory ability in the box where he scores so many important goals. The manager has addressed this demand from those outside the club and effectively dismissed it as stupidity.

Injury has often hampered his reputation if not completely his contribution: when available he always performs for The Gunners. With a run of more than three consecutive games under his belt, Robin van Persie is finally getting the recognition he deserves, as the best centre forward in the country.

September: Mikel Arteta
August: Wojciech Szczesny

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Even if top gear has yet to be found (it’s on Dave, 24/7, Arsene), September was certainly an improvement on the painfully bad opening month of the 11/12 campaign. A nervy win over Swansea was important for a little bit of confidence but it was far from the convincing Arsenal of yesteryear. An embarrassing defensive capitulation at Blackburn overshadowed what was at that point by far the best attacking performance of the season: it did generate three goals lest we forget. Not that I’m excusing the schoolboy errors committed time and again at the back, but there were positives to be taken.

After a rotten first half an hour in the League Cup, The Gunners’ second string came out fighting and the likes of Francis Coquelin made a strong impression, albeit against League Two minnows. A somewhat emphatic win against Bolton at Emirates Stadium provided some respite and a very complete Arsenal performance put smiles on the faces of the Gooner clan.
In Europe, The Gunners have collected more points than the seemingly imperious Manchester clubs put together, which is an achievement in its own right and have looked sound without setting the world alight: an excellent defensive performance, seldom witnessed these days, in Dortmund proved to be of little relevance, after a late wonder-strike courtesy of Ivan Perisic. On home soil, Arsenal started the game against Olympiakos in electrifying fashion; scoring two in twenty minutes, but the same old defensive frailties appeared at, you guessed it, set-pieces. A new zonal marking system has been implemented and somehow we seem to be even worse at defending corners and freekicks than we were last season. Perhaps it needs to be given time? We shall see.

Anyway, onto this month’s contenders: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has had fans on the edge of their seats, even after just two starts, with a couple of well-taken goals and dangerous all-round ability. Whilst Theo Walcott is still a real asset to the side, it has been universally recognised that the Ox is a more complete footballer; stronger, trickier, more consistent in his end product and not as glaringly reliant on pace as his fellow former-Saints trainee. At just 18 years of age, there’s plenty more to come from the promising midfielder.

Oxlade-Chamberlain’s Cameroonian namesake has also impressed this month, save for an own goal at Ewood Park that was either slack or unfortunate, depending on your vantage point. Song’s presence was missed early on due to a three-match suspension for stamping on Joey Barton. I’d give him a medal rather than a ban but the FA know best, don’t they? It was perhaps little coincidence that Song was missing during the mauling in Manchester amongst other disappointing performances. Emmanuel Frimpong’s enthusiasm and tenacity is admirable but he blatantly lacks Song’s positional sense and genuine protection of the fragile back four behind him. That will come with age but we have seen proof, if it were needed, that Frimpong is still some way behind the 24-year-old in the pecking order. Excellent displays in midfield against Borussia Dortmund and Bolton, and an equally adept performance at centre-half against Olympiakos, have made Song a real candidate for this month’s award.

The runner-up this month is Captain Fantastic himself, Robin van Persie. So often in the past, Arsenal’s talismanic striker has missed the start of the campaign through injury so we are making sure to savour every moment he is on the pitch, and every goal he scores, of which there have been aplenty. The Dutchman’s first-half strike in Germany would have secured three crucial Champions League points but for Perisic’s aforementioned equaliser. A virtuoso display against Bolton Wanderers saw van Persie strike twice; the first a demonstration of his power, thumping the ball past a helpless Jussi Jaaskelainen, the second a demonstration of his more subtle technical ability, as he ghosted into the box and deftly flicked out a boot to prod home from close-range. Even when he failed to get on the scoresheet against Swansea and Blackburn, the Arsenal skipper was always threatening with his movement in and around the box. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: following Fabregas’ departure, van Persie is the only truly world class player we have left; one of only a handful in world football capable of creating half a yard for himself from absolutely nothing and producing something majestic. If Arsenal are to have any success this season, you can bet your bottom dollar that van Persie will be at the hub of it.

This month’s winner, however, is one of the many deadline day recruits acquired a month ago. Step forward, Mikel Arteta. The general consensus amongst Gooners following his signing was that he was a very good technical player. No Fabregas of course, but a decent enough Diet Cesc version. It’s not possible for the Spaniard to live up to the lofty heights set by his compatriot, but this month, Arteta has put in complete performances that smack of Fabregas in his prime.

More often than not, the former Everton man has been deployed as one of the two deeper central midfielders, allowing Aaron Ramsey to drive at defences further up the pitch, but the beauty of the system deployed by Arsene Wenger means the three midfielders are interchangeable; equally adept at sitting and holding as they are making an attacking threat in and around the box.

Arteta has performed the art of spraying passes from deep to perfection; very much like another ex-Merseyside-based Spaniard, Xabi Alonso. I consider it no coincidence that since the 29-year-old’s arrival, Arsenal have been more penetrative in the final third and have scored a plethora of goals; 13 in September compared to just five in August. He scored a fine first goal for the club at Ewood Park, placing the ball into the roof of the net after a trademark Gunners move. There is no doubt the midfielder’s presence has contributed to the restoration of the flowing football synonymous with The Arsenal, that was so desperately missing in the opening games.

That’s not to say Arteta just brings a bit more attacking impetus to the team. As I mentioned earlier, he is similar to Fabregas in that his all-round contribution is second to none: nobody works harder for the team. He has put his body on the line on numerous occasions despite only appearing five times for the club; most notably a vital defensive header in Dortmund (he was clattered in the head and seeping blood, always a telling sign of a man’s commitment) and a crucial block on the line against Olympiakos. His bravery in all areas of the pitch is something Arsenal have perhaps been missing; the perception from fans, perhaps not unjustifiably so, is often that the players are more interested in collecting their hefty pay packet than they are willing to hurt themselves for the cause. Evidently, Arteta is motivated by success on the pitch.

He won’t notch up 20 goals and 20 assists like Fabregas did. He won’t create a moment of pure genius time and again in deadlocked matches either, but Mikel Arteta is an excellent player to have on board, who brings vast technical qualities, commitment, leadership, and Premier League experience. I for one am delighted to have him wearing the famous red and white and look forward to more top quality performances from him.

August: Wojciech Szczesny

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Arsenal are a completely different outfit to the one that was playing Sunderland this time 12 months ago. Players both fundamentally key, and, well the not so key, have been and gone including talismanic skipper Cesc Fabregas, leaving a gaping hole in the side. As a result, the club have had to undergo something of a makeover in order to compensate for the absence of a truly world class player. Plenty of additions have been made, and whilst our transfer dealings have certainly had a detrimental effect in more ways than one, there are plenty of positives. Even if the current crop lack the ridiculous natural talent that was evident in abundance amongst the class of 2010, we now possibly have a more rounded squad, aimed at ironing out our blatant flaws, culminating in the ability to adapt to different conditions.

Gervinho has added direction and width, Mertesacker height and leadership, Park industry, Benayoun Premier League experience and Arteta set-piece expertise. In short, the players that came in were not the result of a media-hyped 'trolley dash' but were instead calculated deals that improve the squad as a whole. Admittedly we now how fewer players who can create something from nothing, but instead have a range of different skills and assets to pick and choose from depending on the opposition.

I expect that to be the case against Blackburn, particularly in midfield, as Arsene Wenger collects the paper bag and ponders whether to select sherbet lemons, jelly babies or cola bottles from the Pick 'n' Mix stand. Or in human form: Yossi Benayoun, Aaron Ramsey or Emmanuel Frimpong (assuming Alex Song and Mikel Arteta are occupying the other two central spots). Three completely different players to consider: Benayoun's guile, Ramsey's box-to-box adventurous style or Frimpong's terrior-like enthusiasm. Considering the opposition, I personally would go for the latter, who's incredible physique will be well utilised against a notoriously physical Rovers side. Away from home, it may be wise to have two holding midfielders to tighten up the defence.

As I say, this flexibility we now have is an asset we shouldn't underestimate. The cultured likes of Benayoun may be better suited to the Champions League, but perhaps not so much at Ewood Park where the game is likely to be cagey. Often in these types of games, our opponents tire late on, and that's when we can call the Israeli from the bench to open them up with incisive passing.

Elsewhere on the pitch, in similar fashion, Andre Santos' physical presence may be ideal for a game like this but the slighter frame of Gibbs is more accustomed to the English game and it may be too much of a risk to throw another newbie into the mix. If he wasn't horribly out of sorts, Marouane Chamakh may have been given a go in order to offer us an alternative outlet in the air, but even if he was in the form of his life, the opportunity cost is the genius of Robin van Persie, who lest we forget has a terrific record against Blackburn. The Moroccan will have to make do with another appearance on the bench.

We will find out just how capable this squad is soon enough but shortcomings look to be being addressed and when push comes to shove in the Spring months, where Arsenal always seem to falter, having a wider range of options may just be the difference between success and another season of dreary disappointment.

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Amongst the limited contenders this month is Theo Walcott who ended the first month of the campaign with a respectable three goals; crucial strikes in the Champions League tie with Udinese and a consolation against Manchester United at Old Trafford. His improving ability to pop up with important goals will be invaluable for the coming season but more consistency is still needed with his final balls into the box, and his finishing which still can be as wretched as it can exceptional.

Thomas Vermaelen also put in some commendable performances, demonstrating just how much Arsenal missed him last season. The fact eight goals were conceded without him at the back is no coincidence and his presence will be vital in the coming months. A reckless tackle ended Emmanuel Frimpong’s impressive league debut against Liverpool, a game in which he won rave reviews for his tenacity. The midfielder is perhaps a little too naïve and inexperienced for the present, but one for the future certainly.

There can only be one winner, however, and the man who gets my vote is the Pole between the sticks, Wojciech Szczesny. The 21-year-old emphatically answered his few critics with a series of excellent displays last month, as he fully established himself as Arsenal’s number one in everything but name. Clean sheets in the club’s two opening games away at Newcastle and at home to Udinese resulted in further praise for the confident keeper; his performance in the latter game was particularly impressive as he ensured the Gunners took their slender advantage to Italy with a series of important saves after the visitors had begun to dominate proceedings at The Emirates.

Another strong display at home to Liverpool was overshadowed by Frimpong’s red card and the subsequent goals conceded; an unfortunate own goal by Ramsey and Suarez’s tap-in; neither of which were Szczesny’s fault in any way, shape or form. But perhaps the defining moment came in Udine for the second leg of the Champions League play-off. With the score at 1-1, the hosts were awarded a soft penalty. The big Pole soared to his right and dramatically tipped Di Natale’s spot-kick over the crossbar in stupendous fashion. Its aesthetic beauty drew much debate amongst fans as to whether they had seen a better penalty save. Szczesny, if he wasn’t already, had become fully accepted by the Gooner community.

The final game of the month saw Manchester United put eight past a hapless Arsenal side. The less said of that the better, but once again, the finger of blame could hardly be pointed at the Polish International who was beaten by Rooney freekicks and Young curlers amongst others. There is only so much a man can do against quality opposition and with the painfully inexperienced Jenkinson and woefully bad Traore in front of him. If anything Szczesny saved Arsenal from the further humiliation of a double-figured scoreline.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call the keeper the only leading light in a disappointing month for the club, and fans will be hoping that Szczesny can replicate his form throughout the season.

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As you’re fully aware, the travelling fans’ performance put that of the players, and perhaps the club’s limited transfer activity to shame. Chants of “we’ll race you back to London” were greeted with chuckles and the 20 minute relentless chorus of “we love you Arsenal, we do” showed the unconditional affection some of us have for the club. Whether the same can be said for the likes of Tomas Rosicky and Armand Traore is debatable to say the least; at times they looked like they’d rather endure interrogation by Jack Bauer than wear the, err, not so famous…navy and turquoise jersey.

The tone was set from the off as the energetic Danny Welbeck closed down a far too casual Wojciech Szczesny in a slice of action that could easily have ended in Jens Lehmann-esque disaster as it could for what was the ultimate consequence, a mere goalkick. It personified the game in some respects: United determined, committed, Arsenal lacklustre and lazy.

The Gunners’ defensive frailties were all for see as the hosts notched a well-deserved opener. Anderson’s clipped ball wasn’t dealt with by Djourou, Koscielny or Szczesny as the in-form Welbeck ghosted in to nod past the exposed Pole. Moments before Walcott and Jenkinson had argued with eachother after the latter was left haplessly out of position. The exchange of words at least showed they cared but demonstrated the lack of basic discipline in Arsene Wenger’s makeshift side. Gifting high quality opposition early goals is suicidal, particularly against a side like Manchester United who simply didn’t look back from that moment.

Against the run of play, a collector’s item in a penalty given at Old Trafford against the home side, gave the slack Arsenal outfit hope after Walcott was tugged back by Evans and Howard Webb, who it must be said had a sound game, pointed to the spot. A little soft perhaps but home sides get those every week. Anderson did his best to intimidate van Persie, and the usually assured Arsenal skipper looked somewhat hesitant as he put his powderpuff spot kick far too close to De Gea who made a simple save. The much maligned keeper was given a hero’s congratulation by his United teammates. For the romantics, it suggested redemption and a turning point for the shaky Spaniard. Truth be told, however, he continued to spill balls on the odd occasion Arsenal did test him from distance.

As far as I’m concerned it was neither a turning point for De Gea, nor for the match itself. The home side were already dominating and even had van Persie tucked the penalty away, I’d wager Arsenal still would have lost heavily against vastly superior opposition. United didn’t need an invitation to take advantage of Arsenal’s profligacy and went straight up the other end and doubled their advantage through Ashley Young’s terrific curling effort. You could sense it was already game over and a matter of how many the hosts would end up with.

Welbeck pulled up shortly after and was replaced by Javier Hernandez; an indication of the strength United have in their ranks. Frankly it made a mockery of the Arsenal bench that included the likes of Oguzhan Ozyakup and Gilles Sunu. Wenger had nobody to turn to in order to turn things around; faith had to be shown in Arsenal’s already decimated starting XI.

The Champions grabbed a third through Wayne Rooney’s training-ground-perfected free kick after Jenkinson had naively bundled over Young. It’s hard to put too much blame on the teenager who was playing non league football no more than 18 months ago. The fact we have been made to play embarrassingly immature players such as Jenkinson and Coquelin is no fault of their own but is a problem that needs rectifying if we are to avoid further humiliation. We can’t keep hiding behind the excuse of injuries, a demon who admittedly did wipe out the majority of Arsenal’s backline.

Theo Walcott did pull one back before the break after being slipped in by Arshavin. Had the roles been reversed and it was United reducing the deficit held by Arsenal, a dramatic comeback may have been in the offing. Alas, this was not the case and there was simply not a cat in hell’s chance of The Gunners turning their poor first half around during the second period.

Arshavin dragged a shot wide at the beginning of the half which could have made some significant distance had it gone in while Szczesny denied Young and Cleverley at the other end which showed just how rampant the hosts were, that it could easily, easily have been double-figures. That the keeper was our ‘best’ player spoke volumes of just how woeful a display this was. Any deluded hopes of a revival were dashed as Rooney tucked away United’s fourth with another sensational freekick. Planting the ball inside the post at such pace and with unerring accuracy is quite a skill to execute; Rooney’s brilliance highlighted by the fact Szczesny did not even attempt to stop it.

If possible, the Champions seemed to get stronger as they smelt blood and ruthlessly battered Arsenal from corner to corner. The movement of Rooney, Hernandez and Nani was too much for the inexperience of Jenkinson and the inability of Traore. A painful fifth was added as Rooney fed Nani in acres of space, and the winger audaciously dinked the ball over Szczesny. It was a goal scored with such ease that you could be forgiven for thinking this was a game of FIFA on the Playstation.

The Gunners continued to receive heavy blows. The image of a disorientated boxer does not tell half the story of how out-of-sorts this Arsenal side were. Rooney tried a deft chip from outside the box that hit the woodwork. His claim for the matchball would have to wait. Not long of course. Gaping holes appeared all over the pitch and Young teed up substitute, Park who scored his customary goal against Arsenal with aplomb. Comparisons were being made with the previous 6-1 defeat at Old Trafford that included the likes of Luzhny and Stepanovs in the Gunners’ defence. As the ultimate scoreline proved, it would be even worse than the debacle at the turn of the century.

Robin van Persie’s strike at the Stretford End drew some ironic cheers from the travelling supporters but the players also knew it was of no significance whatsoever. Who says footballers are stupid?

Unsurprisingly, United weren’t satisfied with a four goal cushion and Arsenal weren’t comfortable conceding six; you can’t make ate/hate puns when only conceding six now can you? Jenkinson received a second yellow for another clumsy foul meaning a quite remarkable record of three red cards in three games was set. Further goals were of course imminent, and Walcott’s silly shove on Evra in the box meant the hosts had a penalty of their own. Rooney showed the Arsenal captain how to put the ball away as he completed a quite inevitable hattrick.

The Champions’ eighth goal came through the impressive Young who scored a carbon copy of his first-half strike, bending the ball past Szczesny from the edge of the box. An emphatic result that confirmed United’s credibility as Champions and Arsenal’s humiliatingly obvious defensive frailties. The squad currently has as much depth as a children’s paddling pool and that has to change in the next couple of days.

The club have left it far too late to replace Fabregas and Nasri. Not only because there is little more than 48 hours remaining in the window, but who is going to want to join after this mauling? Traore’s horror show will probably mean he’ll never play for the club again. Cracks are appearing all over the pitch and it’s difficult not to fear for both the immediate, and long term future of Arsenal Football Club.

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