Jack Wilshere 2010/2011, Part 2

Highlights of the young Englishman from January to March:

Tomas Rosicky 2010/2011

Season Stats

19 starts + 15 sub apps

1 goal

5 assists

11 key passes

Premier League Stats

1 assist

-10th highest at Arsenal (Arshavin/Fabregas 11)

1.3 chances created per game

-7th highest at Arsenal (Fabregas 2.9)

0.5 accurate throughballs per game

-2nd highest at Arsenal (Fabregas 1.5)

0.7 times disposesssed per game

-11th highest at Arsenal (Fabregas/Nasri 2.4)

0.8 successful dribbles per game

-8th highest at Arsenal (Diaby 2.3)

63% aerial duel success rate

-3rd highest at Arsenal (Vermaelen 73%)

High point

Filled in expertly for Cesc Fabregas in the 6-0 demolition of newly-promoted Blackpool, with a master display of creativity. In a display that was reflective of his early season performances, Rosicky tore the Seasiders apart with his throughballs, providing key passes for 2 goals and a penalty which Arshavin converted.

Low point

Put in a shambolic defensive performance when subbed on during Arsenal's embarassing 4-4 draw at Newcastle. After Diaby's 2nd half dismissal, Rosicky was brought on to shore up the midfield but instead played Leon Best onside for a (disallowed) goal, gave away a penalty and conceded the freekick that led to Newcastle's equaliser.

Cesc Fabregas 2010/2011, Part 3

Season Stats

29 starts + 7 sub apps

9 goals
15 assists
12 key passes

Premier League Stats

11 assists

-3rd highest in PL (14), joint highest at Arsenal (Arshavin)

2.9 chances created per game

-3rd highest in PL (3.1), highest at Arsenal (Nasri 1.9)

1.5 accurate throughballs per game

-Highest in Europe

3.1 accurate long passes per game
-Joint highest of Arsenal outfield players (Wilshere)

2.4 times dispossessed per game

-Joint highest at Arsenal (Nasri)

1 successful dribble per game
-6th highest at Arsenal (Diaby 2.3)

High point

Put in a real captain's performance in Arsenal's morale-boosting 3-1 win over bogey team Chelsea, scoring a goal and setting up two more. The result put Arsenal right back in contention for the title and gave them the belief that they could go toe to toe with the biggest teams.

Low point

Gifted Barcelona a crucial goal in the Champions League with a careless backheel on the edge of his own box. Although clearly unfit, his act of recklessness gave Barcelona the lead just before half-time, undoing all of Arsenal's good work in preserving their aggregate advantage.

5 reasons why Samir Nasri isn't suited to the no.10 role

Given the recent injury problems of Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, one of the major areas of concern for Arsene Wenger is who best to replace him with in his absence. A fair proportion of Arsenal's midfielders favour the role, and one such player is the twinkle-toed Samir Nasri. But does he have the necessary qualities to deputise for the Spaniard, in a role that requires tremendous creativity and vision? Here are 5 reasons why I believe he's ill-suited to the position, demonstrated with the following video:

Cesc Fabregas 2010/2011, Part 2

Highlights of the captain from the middle third of the season:

Cesc Fabregas 2010/2011, Part 1

Highlights of the captain's first 3 months of the season:

Jack Wilshere 2010/2011, Part 1

Jack Wilshere has been one of Arsenal's top performers this season, showing a remarkable level of maturity and consistency at the heart of the Gunners' midfield. Here are his best moments from the first 5 months of the season:

Xavi Hernández Career Assists

Currently the world's best playmaker (and arguably one of the greatest ever), Xavi Hernández has led both club and country to unprecedented levels of success. In the space of just 2 years, he has managed to conquer every single major trophy on offer: World Cup, European Championship, Champions League, Primera Division and Copa del Rey, in addition to several other domestic, continental and intercontinental titles.

Under the management of Pep Guardiola, Xavi has been given far greater freedom of the midfield and without the presence of Deco and Ronaldinho he has flourished. Not only a fantastic technician and ball hoarder, he also possesses a deadly killer ball and over the course of his career has directly set up over 150 goals for club and country.

Here is a 3-part video celebrating his fantastic vision and creativity:

Ronaldinho Goals, Passes + Assists 2006/2007

Following the amazing exploits of the 05/06 season, Ronaldinho went into the World Cup with great things expected of him. Unfortunately he wasn't able to deliver (not helped by Carlos Alberto Parreira's tactics), and the following season saw him begin the decline that would eventually lead to his sale to Milan.

While statistically this was one of his best seasons at Barca, he was unable to replicate the dominating performances of old and the club finished the season with no major trophies.

06/07 season stats: 49 games, 24 goals, 12 assists

Ronaldinho Goals + Assists 2004/2005

In his 2nd season at Barcelona, Ronaldinho scored fewer goals than in his 1st but showed exactly why he'd been voted the best player in the world with some fantastic individual efforts against Milan, Chelsea, Real and Valencia. He developed an excellent partnership with the newly-acquired Samuel Eto'o and it proved to be one of the main reasons behind Barca's La Liga success, as this video shows.

04/05 season stats: 42 games, 13 goals, 14 assists

Xavi Hernández Goals + Assists 2004/2005

Another solid season for Xavi as he helped Barcelona to their first league title in 6 years following several turbulent seasons.

04/05 season stats: 45 games, 3 goals, 11 assists



Song: Did You See Me Coming by Pet Shop Boys

Ronaldinho Goals, Passes + Assists 2005/2006

Quite simply an extraordinary season from one of the most talented playmakers of all time. The goals, the dribbling, the impossible passes... it was a joy to watch him that year. On the biggest stage, against the best defences, he was the king. Fabio Cannavaro won WPOTY and Ballon d'Or in 2006 but no-one came close to matching Ronnie's level of performance throughout the club season.

05/06 season stats: 49 games, 26 goals, 21 assists



Song: I'm Not Alone (Deadmau5 remix) by Calvin Harris

Mesut Özil Goals + Assists 2009/2010

Mesut Özil has been hot property ever since he starred at the World Cup this summer, but for those who've watched him play over the last 2 years, his talent has been apparent much earlier on. He enjoyed an excellent season in 08/09 as Werder Bremen reached the final of the UEFA Cup, but following the departure of Diego last summer, Özil has managed to step up his game another level.

Despite being just 21, Özil plays with the maturity and delivers the end product of someone far more experienced. Unlike most traditional playmakers, Özil's game isn't about sitting in the hole and spraying passes around. His movement off the ball is exceptional and he's a master at exploiting gaps in the opposition defence with his direct runs. On paper he plays centrally but in reality he drifts all over the attacking 3rd, finding pockets of space to shoot or square the ball to teammates. His combination of movement, composure, passing and set piece ability makes him one of the top creative players in the world. There's definitely more to come from him in the future, and he has the potential to be one of the leading players of his generation.

09/10 season stats: 46 games, 10 goals, 25 assists



Song: Offshore (Ambient Mix) by Chicane

Marko Marin Goals + Assists 2009/2010

At 21 years of age, Marko Marin is part of a generation of bright young attacking talent being produced in the Bundesliga. He plays mainly as a left-sided attacking midfielder, although he's comfortable across the field and usually looks to move into central positions onto his stronger right foot. He's a tricky dribbler with good vision and an improving goalscoring game. Watch out for him in the Champions League and on the international stage over the coming years.

09/10 season stats: 50 games, 7 goals, 14 assists



Song: Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana

Ronaldinho Goals + Assists 2003/2004

Ronaldinho's arrival at Barca was the catalyst for a period of great success for the Catalan club, and for himself as an individual.

His first season almost ended in disaster as Barca were languishing in midtable half-way through the season, but the arrival of Edgar Davids and some inspirational displays from Ronnie himself helped the club finish 2nd in La Liga, building the platform for the success that was to follow in the next 2 years.

03/04 season stats: 22 goals, 12 assists



Song: Get Ready for This (Orchestral mix) by 2 Unlimited

Xavi Hernandez Goals + Assists 2003/2004

Xavi aged 23, before he became the great playmaker he is now.

03/04 season stats: 5 goals, 13 assists



Song: Changes by Tupac

Nuri Sahin Goals, Passes + Assists 2009/2010

A short review of Dortmund's no.8 Nuri Şahin in the season just gone by. He's a central midfield all-rounder who contributes to defence and attack, winning key interceptions and spreading the ball around the pitch well with accurate long passes and precise throughballs. He's a dead ball specialist and takes most of Dortmund's corners, indirect freekicks and penalties.

09/10 season stats: 36 games, 6 goals, 8 assists

Zvjezdan Misimović Goals, Passes + Assists 2009/2010

A typical no.10, Zvjezdan Misimović has been the leading creative player in Germany for 2 seasons running. Like all old-fashioned playmakers, he lacks pace and has no defensive inclinations whatsoever, but there aren't many better attacking midfielders around in Europe. He boasts an excellent range of passing, set piece prowess, 2-footed ability and a knack of scoring great goals.

08/09 season stats - 6 goals, 23 assists
09/10 season stats - 14 goals, 18 assists



Song: Breathe (Indecent Noise remix) by Telepopmusik

Zinedine Zidane - Real Madrid Passing Compilation

A very low quality compilation of some of Zidane's best passes and assists while at Real Madrid.



Song: Timefreeze by Aalborg Fantasy Soundtracks

Dennis Bergkamp Passes, Assists + Creative Plays - Part 1

Dennis Bergkamp is one of the finest technical players I've ever seen and probably my favourite player of all time. He was renowned as a scorer of great individual goals, but just as big an asset was his vision and creative intelligence.

In 423 appearances for the Gunners, he recorded 124 direct assists and created many more goals with his precise passing. Originally signed as a support striker, his game changed over the years and by the time he retired he was playing virtually as a midfielder, scoring very few goals but supplying others with the same deadly accuracy as he'd done throughout his career.