End of season player ratings.

So, in the style of a secondary school teacher, here is my Arsenal squad, end-of-term report card….

Jens, 9.5. Player of the season. When he got sent off in Paris I said to my mate: ‘this is Jens sacrifice’. It was not to be, but I don’t hold it against him: I only said it in the first place due to his heroics throughout the rest of the season. He got us to the final with: 1) the greatest save I’ve seen in my 16 years as a football fan – vs. Raul against Real 2) that penalty save. In the premiership he was by far our most consistent performer, and more than anyone he drove the team to fourth. Heving another leader at the back surely helped Tel settle into his captaincy. And so many comedy moments – remember Bolton at home, pushing over Jansen; or screaming at Nedved in Turin. Ah, memories. Hero, and, I hope, now an Arsenal legend. If only he was younger…

Almunia, 6. Not much to do this year. Played his best in the final, and made a superb stop, but, overall, showed why he is not a serious candidate for first choice keeper.

Mart Poom, n/a. Maybe next year?

Sol, 6. Unless we can’t find a replacement to cover Senderos, needs to be shipped out. Not quick enough any more, prone to error, and the West Ham ‘incident’ says it all. Would have been lower but for the towering effort in Paris.

Kolo, 8. Quietly – well not for us because we know how good he is – has shown that he is clearly one of the best c/bs in the premiership, if not Europe. Has always been a warrior, but his technical performances now truly match his effort. Great season, and his absence in the African nations hit us hard.

‘Big’ Phil Senderos, 7. Harshly dropped after the first Chelsea game, has worked hard to win his place back. Still a little accident prone, but really developing into a great player. His dominance in the air is crucial, and him and kolo are a real partnership. Hopefully no dip in form next year.

Ash, 6. Hmm. Earned no favours to himself with all the ridiculous court cases he’s pursued. The length of his injury also means, through no fault to himself, that he’s struggled a little this year. We missed him though, and I hope he stays.

Lauren, 6.5. Solid, yet unspectacular. Will struggle to return to the first team.

Eboué, 7. Prone to the odd lapses of defensive concentration, as in the final when, to be fair, he was exhausted. Came back from the ACON a new player. Now offers us a genuine threat on the right going forward. Very much a Wenger player, who will stake his place definitively next year.

Kerry Gilbert, 6.5. Only played a handful of games, but looked very promising. Great to have three genuinely talented right-backs. May mean bye-bye Hoyte.

Djourou, 6.5. I’ve liked when I’ve seen him. Struggled at r-b, but good at centre. Should certainly be pushing for 3^rd choice c-b.

Cygan, 5. As Colonel Kurtz once said: ‘The horror. The horror.’ Actually not as awful as previous years, but the bell tolls for thee my son.

Clichy, 6.5. Did well, but suffered heavily from injury problems. Could definitely step up if Ash goes; to have Gael as a back up would be a real statement about the great depth of our squad.

The Flamster, 7.5. Uninspiring in midfield; wonderful at left-back. Unfortunately, may now be shuttled round the team as he can play almost everywhere. Incredible performances in the second half of the season.

Fabregas, 8. Poor start to the season, as struggled to get use to Paddy’s absence. Entrenched himself as one of the great players, not prospects, in European football, with his performances against Real and Juve. Shaping up to be a one in a generation player.

Giberto, 7. Really struggled in Paddy’s absence, but eventually stepped up. Clearly preferred playing in a five man midfield. His passing has been dreadful at times, but any player who can take Riqueleme and, to all intent and purposes, Ronaldinhio out the game, gets my approval. Will be better next year.

Freddie, 6.5. With Bergkamp in decline, and no goals, Freddie could have become brutally expendable in the second half of the season. His lack of goals hit us particularly hard. Yet he battled, battled and battled, and justified his place through sheer perspiration. Next season will determine his Arsenal future.

Jose, 7. Infuriatingly inconsistent. Runs rings round Real [alliteration time!] yet doesn’t turn up against Blackburn. Has the highest number of assists in the premiership, yet hasn’t got the strike rate we bought him for. Next season will be crucial to Jose. Either he gets used to the fact the sun goes down at 3 pm in England in the winter, or heads back to Spain.

Alex Hleb, 7.5. Harshly barracked by Arsenal fans in late winter time. Yet 1) It takes players like him time to adapt to the Premiership – remember bobby, tel, Bergy. 2) He had a pretty serious injury in the first half of the season. 3) he was being retrained to play as a winger. = 4) he’s been good, if slightly enigmatic at times this year. Will be superb next year. Wonderful technical skills, and final balls which tear defences apart. Henry likes him. Also, we now actually have a right-flank thanks to him and Eboue.

Bobby, 6.5. Only did enough to justify a one year deal. Some crucial goals, yet not as many as previous years. Still no replacement for him, in terms of a high-goalscoring midfielder which is a worry. All the best.

Song, 5. Oh dear, if not as awful as some have made out.

Diaby, 6. Much promise, if fewer run-abouts than I expected. Hopefully he’ll be all better soon after his appalling injury. Him and Fabregas could run the premiership’s midfields very soon.

Dennis, 6. Slightly generous: he deserves it for his dedication to Arsenal over the years. Peripheral season for a player of such a calibre. Fine goals against West Brom and Thun mean were a fitting send off. He deserved the CL with us though.

Adebayor, 6.5. Could go either way. A great partner for Henry: remember flick ons against Villa, and the superb pass against Spurs? And scrappy headed goals against Villa, and Birmingham. Brings an extra dimension to the team, but must improve finishing.

Van Persie, 7. Fine first half of the season with some stunning goals. Never recovered from his series of injuries mid-season. Either has to turn into a 20goals a season striker, or improve his general team play if he wants a long term future at the club.

Henry, 9. His goal against Madrid. Ye gods. An incredible goal scoring record continues, and superlatives almost fail. Suffice to say, forget buck toothed boy, Tel is the best player in the world. Highest marks not awarded only due to his slight performance problems due to injury during the mid-season, his struggle to become a decent captain, and the comparison with Jens. Signing his new contract was the best piece of end of season news, but he did take his time in deciding to sign, which may have destabilised the team somewhat.

So there you have it. Discuss!