Who is Arsenal’s Player of the Season?

Many Arsenal fans will bemoan what has been another ‘not quite there’ season under Arsene Wenger, but amidst the criticism levelled at a side through which consistency fails to run with a regularity befitting a title winning side, Gunners supporters will have plenty of positives to take from the 2010-11 campaign.

Victory over Barcelona at the Emirates will be seen in the eyes of most as the result of Arsenal’s season but the 3-1 demolition of Chelsea holds the promise of a side no longer phased by the illustrious names that surround them. In clashes between the Premier League’s top four, Wenger’s men have fared best this season, a transformation that will provide comfort, albeit a little cold in the club’s empty trophy cabinet. Conceding in the dying embers, as was the case against Birmingham in their League Cup final defeat at Wembley, continues to trouble the north Londoners, who have shown flickers of brilliance once again this term.

Honourable mentions go to Robin van Persie, who has once again been relied on to put the ball in the back of the net when those around him have conspired to do so, and Johan Djourou, a central defender who is showing ever increasing promise in an area which needs somewhat of an overhaul in the summer. However, the pair just missed out on our shortlist.

Below are Goal.com’s three nominees for Arsenal’s player of the season in alphabetical order. We then name our winner at the bottom before leaving it up to you, the readers, to have your say.

Age: 23 Appearances: 44 Goals/Assists: 15/4 Cards: 5 0

If Cesc Fabregas is to leave Arsenal for Barcelona in the near future, the pain will be quelled somewhat by knowing that in Samir Nasri, the Gunners have a replacement who can set the Premier League alight time and again. Of all the nominees for PFA Player of the Season, few have thrilled like the Frenchman. Waltzing through defence after defence with consummate ease and adding finishes worthy of the build-up, Nasri has stepped up this season and become the player of which he has only shown glimpses in the past. He is, quite simply, a joy to watch.

Age: 21 Appearances: 23 Clean sheets: 9 Cards: 1 0

The progress made by the young Pole this season has been a superb, if not always a comfortable example of learning on the job. Making the No.1 spot his own, Szczesny has oozed confidence behind a defensive line that too often offers anything but. Nearly securing a clean sheet every other game in the Premier League, managing six in 13, is a remarkable record for a 21-year old and Arsenal legend Bob Wilson has already stated that he sees the youngster becoming a Gunners great. It would seem that Arsene Wenger’s goalkeeper crisis may soon be coming to an end.

Age: 19 Appearances: 49 Goals/Assists: 2/9 Cards: 8 1

Arsene Wenger’s policy of putting his trust in youth has been rightly questioned for half a decade now. Tentative, nervous and lacking confidence under pressure, the usual prejudices of those in their relative infancy at the Emirates could not provide a more telling contrast to Jack Wilshere. Stepping into an England midfield that has been battled over for years by Gerrard and Lampard, Wilshere can now rightly call it his own. The same goes for Arsenal, for whom he has dictated this season. The youngster has grown up. You hope for his sake that he is not waiting too long for those around him to follow his lead.