ALMUNIA: Underrated. He improved as 08/09 wore on, as proven by a remarkable run from November to March during which we conceded only 14 goals in all competitions. When he got injured, the goals poured in. Fabianski is not yet a reliable deputy.
GALLAS: �The Strop at St Andrews� made him an easy target, but his ability as a defender is unquestionable. Once the captaincy fiasco ended last November, Gallas emerged a true professional�kept his head down, mouth shut, and worked hard. He�s a better captain without the armband.
VERMAELEN: Shown signs in pre-season that Toure will not be missed. Not as quick as the Ivorian, but he has the positional sense and discipline required to address our Achilles heel: set pieces and crosses. Much was made of his height when he first arrived, but a prodigious leap more than compensates.
CLICHY: Tireless and full of pace. However, his otherwise stellar defending can be undone by surprisingly frequent and costly mistakes�a slip, a mistimed tackle, a trailing leg. With better concentration he can cut out these errors, and, hopefully, improve his crossing at the other end.
SAGNA: His dependability and discipline has helped shore up our defence, but compared to 07/08, Sagna�s form in 08/09 was somewhat indifferent (partly due to injury). His previously realised potential indicates last season was a one-off; though, like Clichy, effective crossing remains an elusive skill.
DJOUROU: Worrying pre-season form only highlights our fragility in defence when one of or both Gallas and Vermaelen get injured. It�s disappointing, because Djourou looked decent when he played last season. Our other back-ups�Senderos, Song, and Silvestre�are no better or worse, and thus CB remains our most vulnerable position.
FABREGAS: An injury last December ended an average (by his standards) first half to the season, and it was clear upon his return for the run-in that he was still recovering. Encouragingly, his form this summer for Spain and in pre-season suggests that he�s back to his string-pulling (and scoring?) best.
DENILSON / SONG: Neither fill us with confidence. Wenger experimented with both at DM in 08/09 with varying success, but our lack of bite in midfield last season should also be attributed to the players around them. Departures and injuries meant that support came from the likes of Eboue, Walcott, and Nasri, rather than Rosicky, Hleb, Gilberto, Flamini, and, for large spells, Fabregas. A new DM seems unlikely, so Denilson and Song will have to step up.
ARSHAVIN: Indispensable. We haven�t had a player like him since Pires�and perhaps Bergkamp�in the sense that he can almost effortlessly create something out of nothing. To his creativity, Arshavin adds speed and an eye for goal. Our chances of silverware are greater if he stays fit and sharp.
ROSICKY: Not as prolific as Arshavin, but just as important. When Rosicky plays we look a more balanced side, particularly because he contributes equally to defence and attack. He�s intelligent, quick, and surprisingly tough in the tackle. The problem, of course, is that nobody knows how often he�ll play.
WALCOTT: Sprinting into the final third is fine, but what you do with the ball when you get there is more important. Walcott lacks composure, and whether this is simply a matter of inexperience remains to be seen. His performances for England over the summer did not fill Gooners with much optimism.
NASRI: Achieved cult status for some important goals in 08/09, but Nasri still has the tendency to go missing in games. Given his natural ability, one can expect Nasri to gradually assert himself more on the pitch. Not an automatic starter when Rosicky is fit.
DIABY: His strength and obvious skill are undone by a lack of stamina and vision. The big criticisms are that he can�t last an entire game, and that for all his dribbling, he can�t pick out a pass. Needs a run of games to prove his worth, but may not ever stay fit long enough to get it.
EBOUE: An great player to have as RB back-up, but still adds very little to the team when played at RM.
VAN PERSIE: Our most technically gifted player, he�s also matured into a valuable leader. Van Persie carried us almost single handedly through last winter when we lost Fabregas and Adebayor. He was our top scorer last season (so it seems churlish to criticize him) but could still be more clinical.
EDUARDO: The only poacher in our squad. What he lacks in pace, he makes up for in accuracy and close control. He�s one of the only players at Arsenal who makes me assume �goal� when he gets into a scoring position, a feeling I last had with Henry. Seems fit and ready to go.
BENDTNER: Comes in for a lot of abuse, which doesn�t square with a surprisingly good goal conversion rate. Has an excellent work ethic, and the belief of Wenger, but can he produce consistently against the very best?
VELA / RAMSEY / WILSHERE / GIBBS / TRAORE: Should feature heavily in our domestic cup campaigns, or more if injuries mount.
