It’s been a topsy-turvy season for the Arsenal fans in the Transfer Tavern, who have experienced it all with thrilling results and embarrassing defeats.
Nevertheless, it’s all still in their hands as Arsenal rose to second in the Premier League table this week and face a crunch-tie with Olympiakos in the Champions League on Wednesday- which is keeping our Gooners very nervous.
As they enter an extremely business festive season, which sees Arsenal clash with Manchester City and Southampton, the fans are discussing which players have proved admirably so far and deserve a Christmas bonus.
In the end they’ve all conceded that the majority of their squad has done very well this term, particularly when being stretched to their limits with the wealth of injury problems Arsenal have to deal with.
We informed them that, for the sake of the game, they had to pick just five and after much deliberation they came to a conclusion. Don’t agree with the selections? Let us know in the comments below!
Hit Wenger below to see FIVE of his squad that deserve a Christmas bonus!
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Petr Cech
When Petr Cech joined Arsenal in the summer, Chelsea captain John Terry said he could be worth up to 15 points in the Premier League season. By his impressive displays so far, he could well be the difference in whether Arsenal win the title or not.
Cech has performed spectacularly with crucial saves in crucial games, including a heroic performance in Arsenal’s thrilling Champions League win over Bayern Munich. He’s just one clean-sheet away from equalling the all-time Premier League record and you’d back him to secure it before the year is out.
Hector Bellerin
Hector Bellerin enjoyed a meteoric rise to the first-team last season, on the back of injury problems for Mathieu Debuchy, and he’s raised the stakes further this campaign. With his excellent performances, the 20-year-old Spaniard is now one of the first names on the team-sheet.
Bellerin’s defensive abilities are invaluable but it’s his explosive runs down the flank that get Arsenal fans excited. A natural speed-demon, Bellerin terrorises his opponents on a weekly basis and looks set to become a superstar.
Mesut Ozil
Criticised heavily during his first two years at Arsenal by rivals fans and the media, Mesut Ozil has shut everybody up this campaign. In 14 Premier League appearances he has two goals and 12 assists, putting him just eight shy of the season record in the league.
Ozil has improved in front of goal too, finding the net in crucial victories over Bayern Munich and Manchester United. He orchestrates the midfield on a weekly basis and is extremely important to Arsenal. Without him, they’d struggle.
Olivier Giroud
The French international striker splits the opinion of everyone but Olivier Giroud is enjoying a fantastic season. A slow start, that saw him booed off for his international side and lose his Arsenal spot to Theo Walcott, Giroud has responded valiantly.
Walcott’s injury left Giroud under intense pressure but he has performed, with crucial goals making him the top-scorer in Arsenal’s squad. He has a habit of popping up with goals at the right time and is definitely one of the most undervalued players in the Premier League.
Joel Campbell
A selection that may raise a few eyebrows, as we’ve not featured the likes of Laurent Koscielny, Francis Coquelin, Nacho Monreal and Laurent Koscielny, but hear us out. All four of those have been fantastic but, on the face of it, you can’t argue against Joel Campbell.
Many expected the Costa Rican to leave North London in the summer and, when he didn’t, he was considered to be just making up the numbers. However, injury troubles gave him his chance and he grabbed it with both hands.
Scoring against Swansea City and the recent victory over Sunderland, Campbell was also extremely impressive in the Champions League win over Dinamo Zagreb. He could be a crucial squad playing heading into the second-half of the season, which is something teams aspiring to win the league title need.
