Fab 4 Arsenal's Player of the Season

I know I said last week that we'd spend the week talking about the player of the season, but I think the time has come to stop dwelling on last season and look forward to next. But before we do so, we'll take one last look at least season by revealing our Fab 4 Arsenal Player of the Season. We'll count down the top five as chosen by our readers over the last few weeks in the poll over on the right. And of course, my own opinions will be factored in as well. So without further ado, here are the top five players of the season, in descending order.

5. Cesc Fabregas
This is perhaps the lowest ranking that Fab 4 himself has ever gotten in a season review of the best players. But to be honest, it's deserved; this wasn't the best of seasons for the young Spaniard. It started off with Cesc returning late in August after a lengthy break from his exploits in EURO 2008. But when he returned, he was not in top form. He looked like a shadow of the player from the year before, and just wasn't up to his best. Then came November and the Gallas-losing-his-captaincy fiasco. In the end, Fabregas was named our new club captain, and with the extra responsibility, he picked up his performances somewhat. But he would soon be injured against Liverpool, and it kept him out until March. When he returned, he looked like the Cesc of old; the layoff was exactly what he needed. He ended up notching 10 assists by year's end, and looks to be a major player for us once again next season.

4. Manuel Almunia
Almunia had an excellent season for us, and I look at it as, for me, the year he became a top keeper. He was remarkably consistent for us this past season, and fully deserved to be the number one. There were of course the weak moments, but they were few and far between, and definitely overshadowed by his great performances, such as against Fenerbache in the Champions League, or most especially against Man Utd at Old Trafford in the same competition. Our Spanish keeper this season was consistent, solid, and truly became a world-class goalkeeper.

3. Denilson
Denilson is a player that as a gooner you seem to have loved or hated this past season. Criticisms levelled against him were many, but the one most used is that he isn't a fighter like Flamini, and this isn't as effective. How wrong they are. Denilson is the type of player who works behind the scenes, doing a spectacular job without doing anything visually spectacular. The stats don't lie: Denilson completed more passes this season than anyone else in the Arsenal squad, and in fact more than 90% of the Premiership. He made more successful tackles and covered more ground than Flamini did last season, and even got more assists. He didn't just replace Flamini, he did better than the Frenchman. It isn't his lack of ability that makes him disliked among some supporters, it is his playing style. But I've said it once, and I'll say it again: if his less-aggressive playing style is getting better results, then who is to say it's not the superior one? Denilson was fantastic this past season.

2. Andrei Arshavin
It's quite the accomplishment for a player who only made his debut for the club in February to even be considered for player of the season. And for him to get second place in our poll (with 1 out of every 4 fans calling him the player of the season at the time of writing) is an even bigger accomplishment. But put simply, Arshavin was just what we needed. He was signed at a time when our attack was sterile. Our defense had been improved vastly, but at the cost of great, flowing attacking. Arshavin helped bring that back, and when he made his Premiership debut against Blackburn, scoring a spectacular goal as his first, we all knew he would be something special. His four goals against Liverpool at Old Trafford proved his class, and he was easily our most dangerous and inventive player of the last few months of the season. In this case, Arsene spent big, and it payed off brilliantly. He will be a key figure for us next season.

1. Robin van Persie
With almost 50% of the vote, RVP was by far the most popular choice, and it's one I agree with. Our best player of the season was clearly Van Persie. This season he completed his first full season in three years. No major injury layoffs, no delayed returns from those injuries: he was almost always fit, and he showed what all of us knew he could do should he ever have a full season fit. He was our top goalscorer, top assist leader, and in every sense, top player. He showed fantastic skill time and again, and he proved to be the most technically gifted member of the squad.

His goals against Liverpool and Chelsea in the first half of the season come to mind, as do his goals against Everton and Stoke in the latter half. And it wasn't just his goals; he was the top assist leader, and always seemed to be our most creative striker. He played almost like Dennis Bergkamp at times with his ability to either select the perfect pass, or take the shot and score himself. He truly has been a fantastic replacement for DB10, and should he stay with us next season we will have one of the most dangerous strikers in the Premiership at our disposal. When a player scores or assists every goal for the club for an entire month, as Robin did in January, then he is deserving of player of the season. And the fact that his was a mere highlight of a wholly outstanding season wins Robin van Persie the choice as our Fab 4 Arsenal Player of the Season.

So that wraps up our season review articles. This week we'll return to reporting the latest Arsenal news, and offer opinions and insights in a refined and polished way as always. Thanks to all those who read this article, and have also checked out our other season review articles. It's time to say goodbye to the 2008-09 season and look forward to next with optimism. So with disappointing, but also fond memories of last season and the progress and growth it brought to our team, see you next time;

Fab 4