Player of the season:
Aaron Ramsey
No doubt about this one. From much-maligned to world-class in no time flat. From goal shy to prolific. His energy levels are exceptional. His finishing, dribbling, touch and passing have all come on leaps and bounds. He has more than repaid Arsène Wenger's faith in him and leant some pretty strong evidence to the Arsène knows mantra. It's been a total shock and a tremendous joy to watch him step up into one of the best box-to-box midfielders in Europe. It was only fitting that he was the man to score the goal that won us the cup.
No doubt about this one. From much-maligned to world-class in no time flat. From goal shy to prolific. His energy levels are exceptional. His finishing, dribbling, touch and passing have all come on leaps and bounds. He has more than repaid Arsène Wenger's faith in him and leant some pretty strong evidence to the Arsène knows mantra. It's been a total shock and a tremendous joy to watch him step up into one of the best box-to-box midfielders in Europe. It was only fitting that he was the man to score the goal that won us the cup.
Runner up:
Mertescielny
I just couldn't pick between the two centre-backs. Their partnership has been sensational (with the exceptions of some heavy away defeats) and fills me with confidence for next season.
Mertescielny
I just couldn't pick between the two centre-backs. Their partnership has been sensational (with the exceptions of some heavy away defeats) and fills me with confidence for next season.
Team performance of the season:
Arsenal 2 - 0 Napoli
The first half performance was sensational. Up until this game, Arsenal has been on terrific form but detractors were lining up to suggest that we hadn't really beaten big teams; that we would struggle against tougher opposition... so we blew Napoli and then Liverpool out of the water. Özil's first goal for the club was a particular highlight.
Arsenal 2 - 0 Napoli
The first half performance was sensational. Up until this game, Arsenal has been on terrific form but detractors were lining up to suggest that we hadn't really beaten big teams; that we would struggle against tougher opposition... so we blew Napoli and then Liverpool out of the water. Özil's first goal for the club was a particular highlight.
Goals of the season:
1 Jack Wilshere vs Norwich (h) - So good that it took a replay or two to fully comprehend what had happened. The poor old Norwich back line certainly didn't have clue.
2 Aaron Ramsey vs Liverpool (h) - The best of several superb individual Ramsey goals was an unsavable, dipping and swerving volley.
3. Tomas Rosicky vs Tottenham (a) - He loves scoring against Spurs and I love watching him score against Spurs. An early thunderbolt before a solid but dull performance secured a satisfying league double over our rivals, who many had tipped to finish above us (idiotically).
4. Aaron Ramsey vs Norwich (a) - Aaron announced himself as well and truly back from injury with a volley straight out of the toppest of top drawers. Glorious.
5. Tomas Rosicky vs Sunderland (h) - Not quite as good as Jack's team goal against Norwich but not far off; beautiful, nippy, tippy-tappy triangles and a cheeky dink. What more can you ask for?
Honourable mentions to Ozil's first for the club (against Napoli), Giroud's great take-down and finish against West Ham and Cazorla and Ramsey's cup final goals.
Assist of the season:
Mesut Özil vs Sunderland (a)
Just 11 minutes into his debut he plucked a Kieran Gibbs ball out of the air, looked up and layed on a perfectly-weighted ball for Olivier Giroud to expertly sweep home at the near post. It was a scintilating start to his Arsenal career.
Moment of the season:
Lifting the FA Cup.
9 years was too long but boy did it feel good to get that monkey off our back. Nobody enjoyed it more than Arsène Wenger who visibly de-aged that weekend after winning his 5th FA Cup. The atmosphere on Saturday evening and night and during Sunday's parade was of absolute jubilation. As Cup Finals go it was pretty amazing. There were a couple of superb goals, a ton of controversy and a great comeback. Not good for the blood pressure but a game that we will remember for a very long time.
"What if?" of the season:
Just 11 minutes into his debut he plucked a Kieran Gibbs ball out of the air, looked up and layed on a perfectly-weighted ball for Olivier Giroud to expertly sweep home at the near post. It was a scintilating start to his Arsenal career.
Moment of the season:Lifting the FA Cup.
9 years was too long but boy did it feel good to get that monkey off our back. Nobody enjoyed it more than Arsène Wenger who visibly de-aged that weekend after winning his 5th FA Cup. The atmosphere on Saturday evening and night and during Sunday's parade was of absolute jubilation. As Cup Finals go it was pretty amazing. There were a couple of superb goals, a ton of controversy and a great comeback. Not good for the blood pressure but a game that we will remember for a very long time.
"What if?" of the season:
What if Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott had avoided injury this term? Maybe Arsène Wenger would have been celebrating a 3rd double.
Low point on the pitch:
Chelsea 6 - 0 Arsenal
At the risk of losing perspective, this was literally the worst thing that has ever happened, anywhere in the world.
At the risk of losing perspective, this was literally the worst thing that has ever happened, anywhere in the world.
And off the pitch:
Nicklas Bendtner's fateful trip to Copenhagen...
Let he who has never unbuttoned his trousers, rubbed himself against a car, and whipped it with a belt cast the first stone.
— Andrew Thomas (@andi_thomas) March 13, 2014
Villain of the season:
José "specialist in boredom, hypocrisy and twattery" Mourinho.
José "specialist in boredom, hypocrisy and twattery" Mourinho.
Runner up:
Charlie Adam
Charlie Adam
The offensively ugly midfielder was signed by Stoke two years ago after impressing the club with his ability to injure talented, young Welsh footballers (Gareth Bale). Since signing for the club he's gone on to prove that he doesn't discriminate and will happily crock anyone better than football at him (most people), regardless of their nationality. His stamp on Olivier Giroud was appalling and when he was banned retrospectively for 3 games, rather than admit fault or apologise he bitched and moaned, as did his twat of a chairman and the club's twat of a chief executive. Dear Stoke, this is why everyone hates you.
Dishonourable mention:
Lee Probert
Spud-baiter of the season:
Theo Walcott
Runner-up:
Jack Wilshere
Germanic comedic moment of the season:
Mesut Ozil's quite brilliant "Yar Gunners, Yar!"
Runner-up:
Per Mertesacker is Arsenal til he dies. Lovely.
Dishonourable mention:
Lee Probert
Spud-baiter of the season:Theo Walcott
Runner-up:
Jack Wilshere
Germanic comedic moment of the season:
Mesut Ozil's quite brilliant "Yar Gunners, Yar!"
Runner-up:
Per Mertesacker is Arsenal til he dies. Lovely.
Signing of the season:
Mesut Özil
Arsenal fans lost their collective shit when Arsène pulled a world-class playmakeresque rabbit out of his hat on deadline day and whilst Özil's first season was a bit of a mixed bag (sublime at points but disappointing at others) there is no doubt that he lifted the club and we can be very optimistic that he will build on his performances next season.
Mesut Özil
Arsenal fans lost their collective shit when Arsène pulled a world-class playmakeresque rabbit out of his hat on deadline day and whilst Özil's first season was a bit of a mixed bag (sublime at points but disappointing at others) there is no doubt that he lifted the club and we can be very optimistic that he will build on his performances next season.
Quote of the season:
"It was an important moment in the life of this team. It was more important today than all the others. Twice we had won the double, so we had already won something and were not under the pressure we were under here." - Arsène Wenger after the FA Cup win.
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