Although come the end of last season Arsenal were the runners up to title winners, Leicester City, many saw that 2nd place finish, their highest for 11 years, as yet another failure with under-fire manager Arsene Wenger at the helm.
It was seen as a failure mainly due to the inefficiency of other title rivals who, and this takes nothing away from Leicester, ‘let’ Ranieri’s side run away with the league.
Over the course of the season many Gunners stars, such as Mesut Ozil, were heaped with praise – and rightly so – but claiming 2nd from North London rivals, Tottenham, wasn’t all down to the ‘King of Assists’.
Many players went under the radar in what many fans outside of Arsenal would deem a successful season, some players even drew large swathes of criticism from the Gunners fans.
Transfer Tavern have picked out these THREE players as being under-appreciated at the Emirates, see if you agree…
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THOSE YOU GUNNERS SHOULD SHOUT ABOUT!
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OLIVIER GIROUD
This one might take some convincing for the Arsenal fans amongst you but, bear with me. The French international bagged 24 goals in all competitions for Arsenal last season, more than any other player. Despite this, Giroud drew huge amounts of criticism from Gunners fans for sub par performances as the 29-year-old went through a baron spell between January and May.
But goals aren’t the be all and end all of his game, the leading man brings a lot more to Wenger’s side than is noticed by some. First of all, he chipped in with six assists and created 26 chances in Premier League matches last season.
Furthermore his style of play means that he can bully a defensive line and pull them out of shape in order to create space and chances for those around him the Arsenal’s attacking line. His physicality and exceedingly well tended to facial hair is enough to strike fear into the heart of any defence.
LAURENT KOSCIELNY
Another Frenchman who drew criticism from his home followers over the last season is Laurent Koscielny. The centre -half held things together at the back when others seemed to be faltering and for that he deserves great praise.
The 30-year-old, commanded the back line, winning 65% of the aerial duels he contested in and made 127 interceptions, even netting 4 goals along the way.
He may not be the best centre back that Arsenal have ever had – that is a hard accolade to claim – but most Premier League managers would be hard felt to leave him out of their starting XI on any match day.
ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN
The Ox has had an unfortunate seasons with injuries and stuttering runs in the side with Wenger often reluctant, when he actually starts him, to give the English winger a full 90 minutes. But Chamberlain has so much more to offer Arsenal than he has had the chance to show so far.
The former Southampton man looks to be on his way out this summer which is a shame because, when given the chance, he can be the linchpin of any side, breaking forward with pace and vision beyond that of a 22-year-old’s. If it wasn’t for his current injury, Chamberlain would undoubtedly be in France with Roy Hodgson and the rest of the England squad as he offers something different to the side.
Wherever Chamberlain is come the start of next season, whether that be with Arsenal or not, the side he plays with will have the asset of a quality young winger with a work-rate well above the average for others in his position.
