Arsenal player of the year… the candidates | Rocastle tribute | 0800-WENGER

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Morning Grovers, we have a split post between Pedro and Geoff today… enjoy!

I’ve been thinking about Arsenal’s player of the year so far and there are a number of obvious candidates.

Samir Nasri would be most people’s based on his goals and assists this season. He’s stepped his game up a notch and he’s finally adapted to the rigours of the Premiership. Earlier on in the season he was virtually unplayable. His mixture of skill and pace was hard to track and the development of goal facing instincts helped push him into the public consciousness.

What has to be said is that his form has seriously dipped in the second half of the season, he’s gone into his shell a little and he really hasn’t taken charge in the absence of Cesc. I’ve been pretty disappointed about that. My main gripe with him over the past 2 seasons has been his mental strength and where it goes when the chips are down.

Still, 15 goals and 4 assists can’t be sniffed at… I’d like to see a return to form before he gets my vote.

Another player we’ve all been pretty excited about this season is the emergence of Jack Wilshere. Last year he was a reserve for the first 5 months of the season, then he moved over to Bolton where it took a while for him to break into Coyle’s starting 11… then he blossomed with some top performances.

This year, he killed the career of Joe Cole and his mooted move to Arsenal. On this site, we said it was fine not to sign the England star providing Jack was given a decent shot at the first team in his place. Well, Arsene didn’t disappoint and nor did Jack. Arsenal have developed a young player who has all the silky passing of a continental player yet all the aggression and fight of a traditional tough tackling English defender. Jack’s ability to defend hasn’t gone unnoticed either. Fabio Capello sees him as a Claude Makelele type player in the future and Wenger has also dabbled with him in the holding role. This was something Geoff called at the very start of the season, something I couldn’t see happening.

Jack has been one of the few players at Arsenal this year who has never hidden on the pitch, who has always given his all and has Arsenal blood coursing through his veins. He has 2 goals, 8 assists and 40+ appearances to his name, not bad for your first full season. I’m not sure Alex Hleb managed productivity stats like that in his whole Arsenal career.

I heard he’s got a bird up the duff. I’d say congratulations, but let’s be honest, no one plans for that type of news when they’re a 19 year old footballer at the start of their career. Jack, for future reference,

‘Don’t be a fool, wrap your tool’

My final suggestion for player of the season is a bit of a curve ball. It’s none other than Bacary Sagna, the greatest braided defender since Taribo West. He’s put in a solid 35 performances this year off the back of a very indifferent season last  year. He’s returned to the form that saw him installed in the team of 2008 and he’s absolutely impressed me all year.

First and foremost, Sagna is a defender. That is a rarity for an Arsenal full back. He’s incredibly quick, he’s committed and he’s a fearsome opponent not many get the better of on the pitch. This year he’s clearly worked on his attacking senses, after scoring a total of zero goals over the past two season he’s popped up with a few memorable goals this year, particularly the one against Everton where he ripped one past Tim Howard. He’s also popped up with 3 assists which can be credited to his much improved crossing ability.

I’ve always said it’s harsh to label a full back inept if he can’t cross, they’re defenders first and foremost and that’s why I was always fine with Sagna. This year he’s worked hard, he’s remained fit and he’s now a regular with the French team. He’s a real asset and he’s another player who I can honestly say I’ve never questioned when it comes to attitude. That’s why I’m putting him in the mix for the player of the year.

Let me know your thoughts for player of the year in the comments and we’ll knock together a poll for the end of the season.

In Other news…

It’s ten years since Rocky Rocastle passed away. I was a touch too young to truly remember anything poignant enough to put in a post so I’ll pass this over to Geoff who is one of the few that watched him come through.

My first memory of David Rocastle was when I was at Highbury, where they sometimes trained with George Graham, I was producing an Ad for JVC featuring the Arsenal team and some video equipment. The previous year I was with Don Howe and I featured Charlie Nicholas and about 5 players, amongst them were Tony Woodcock, Steve Williams and Paul Mariner, well when I was with George, they were gone and the ad out was out of date.

So I said George, I don’t want to pick your team (I did) and I don’t want any secrets (of course I did) but can you give me a few players that will still be here next season so I don’t waste JVC’s money on yet another ad (I wasn’t bothered in the slightest) He said sure, that I understand, he called over Adams, Merson, O’Leary, Thomas and one Rocky Rocastle. I remember looking and thinking where is Charlie, my hero? It was then I knew he wasn’t the future and saw the new breed.

Rocastle always played like his life depended on it, I was at White hart lane when he scored in the League Cup semi final and remember his face exploding, I also remember the day Graham told him he was going to Leeds and the poor kid burst into tears, much the same as a lot of us did, David I was there at the start and sadly there at the end, no one likes to outlive their stars, if we had a few of him in this team we would rip the league and the other three trophy’s, sadly under Wenger that will never happen.

Bless you Rocky, you were the spirit of Arsenal and you are sorely missed!

Finally…

I called Arsenal yesterday for spare tickets for a customer, I went through the Platinum member’s line and would you Adam and Eve it? Wenger was answering the phone with the worst auto system message I have ever heard in my life, now if that’s not the antipathy of control freakishness I have ever seen, I don’t know what is, here have a listen! 0845 262 0001

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJdEPdUxQN0&w=480&h=390]


262 Responses to “Arsenal player of the year… the candidates | Rocastle tribute | 0800-WENGER”

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  9. gambon

    Oh and Rohan,

    your claims that a player cant be up for player of the year & young player is ridiculous, as Ronaldo won both jut recentley.

    Unlike you to be wrong about something isnt it!!!!! NOT!

  11. Hussain

    Bale doesn’t deserve any awards, Modric has been a lot more consistent and influential for the Spuds!
    Young Player: Jack
    Player: Charlie Adam/Vidic/Nasri/Nani, has to be one them four!

  13. Dream10

    Morning Gooners

    RIP Rocastle. I became a fan of Arsenal in 1996, so I never got to watch him play. But many say he was talented and had the heart of lion. Bless him and his family.

    In the Daily Mail Martin Keown praises Gary Cagill for his performance against Ghana. However he says he is too pricey for us.

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1371725/Martin-Keown-Gary-Cahill-act-like-John-Terry.html

    I am going to be very disappointed if we miss out on him and purchase Per Merteresacker on a free transfer. 1.98m with no pace.

  14. Dream10

    Player of the Year is Arshavin.

    The only way we win the title if he puts us on his back.
    Against West Brom he is the primary reason we earned a point.

    Arshavin is a primetime player.

  18. TOMTOM

    RVP would easily be our player of the season if only he could stay fit,if he scores the goals that wins us the league then he will be our player of the season despite him missing half the season with injury.

  19. Colonel Mustard

    r/e Player of the year…it think it noticeable a player thrives when the other best player are available i.e. Messi – Xavi – Iniesta. I think Nasris dip has been in direct colleration to Theos, Robins, Cescs unavaiability plus Ardshavins erstwhile attitude. just food for thought.

  20. rooster1108

    has anyone else seen the SVP video? That’s RVP’s 4 yr old banging it into the top corner past his dad in goal, hilarious :)

  24. gooner

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1371693/Gianluigi-Buffon-targeted-Arsenal.html?

    If its a free transfer we may have a chance. Just like with sol, we compensated for the lack of transfer fee by paying massive wages. Buffon does get injuries, but would be great for Chezza. Chezza would still get game time. If we dont get Buffon, id rather not spend and persist with Chezza. If Buffon is possible on a free sign him up! Hes more deserving of £125k p/w than denilson/diaby are of their £40k.

  25. Gooneroo

    I’m sure there’s a joke there about scoring and puting on past the goalie and not using ball protection in there somewhere but i’ll leave it to y’all ;)

  26. TOMTOM

    Arsenal.com say that Lehmann played well in his first reserve game,funny that all the papers are saying he had a shocking game and made alot of mistakes. What the fuck is Aliadiere doing back at the club?

  30. Raugaj

    Aliadiere is being offered a new contract,as a back up for RVP

    Nasri and Wilshere for the player of the year
    Dudaby,Denilshite and Clownmunia for the wankers in the club

  34. choy

    Buffon on a free at 33.

    Brilliant player and a crock as well..

    Wenger must be rubbing his hands in excitement!

  36. Moray

    Wenger answering the phone? Must be trying to save some cash on our wage bill.

    Jees, was it ten years since Rocky died? Such a shame. A great Arsenal player in a team full of characters, and a nice guy by all accounts.

    I like the Sagna suggestion for player of the year. It is frustrating that he cannot cross the ball, but it is nice to see some solidity at the back, and he stays pretty fit as a rule. I love Wilshire’s character and leadership potential, though he will have many years to win this title, I hope.

  39. dennisdamenace

    I cried like a fucking girl when i heard that DR7 had died……

    He was the embodiment of the true Arsenal spirit.

  41. Moray

    I’m not sure the Glassman should be kicking a ball around with his son, even if he is in goal. Can we not hire someone to do this for him?

  43. wardo

    RIP Rocky !

    i started going to Arsenal in 1988. That was some team then i can tell you. I loved that team more (much much much much more in fact) than the invincibles !

    Favourite memory of Rocky was his reaction to a high boot from a Liverpool player at Anfield in 1989. The resulting free kick led to Alan Smith scoring a header from that free kick but that is not the stand out memory for me. The stand out memory is Rocky reacting the high boot and is angry. Ref gave the free kick and the Liverpool player and the great Rocky Rocastle were walking away when they happened to glance at each other. Rocky’s face was like thunder and he clenched his fist and said something to that liverpool player who then understood not to mess with Rocky !! seriously, youtube the clip….his face was pure emotion, pure anger and pur strength !! would love to know the exact words spoken but i’m no lip reader !! could easily make out that he swore tho !!

  45. leon

    i see wilshire as combo of flamani and messi rolled into one,he has realy shown versatility i think the same for nasri in central midfield i would have wilshire fab nasri song fringpong coqulin and risicky may be and there still landsbury and ramsey.this has realy exposed just how little this team needs players like delinson diaby who been either injured most of the time at the club or has been very inconsistant

  46. dennisdamenace

    I can understand an old playet returning to the club to regain fitness.

    But, wtf is Wenger playing at giving that player playing timd in a reserve game, taking that playing time away from a player actually on the payroll?

    Is our club now just his own personal plaything….

    Fucking ridiculous.

  47. ENIBEE

    Rocky was a true Arsenal legend. Not being an Arsenal fan long enough to have known him play, but accounts of his passion and quality abound.
    I would choose Nasri or Sagna for player of the year, and LJW for young player; though the thought of Djourou having never been in a league match loosing Arsenal side puts him in the mix for me. Maybe not as eventual winner, but as a final 3 contender!

  48. david

    Lil’ Jack for Arsenal player of the year award & Young Player of the year. He’s been fucking awesome for us and also managed to replicate it on the international stage.

  49. bernard (bade the gooner)

    morning groves,
    some refreshing thoughts here, though i wouldn’t pick yet my player of the season as the most important part of it still lays ahead.
    i would opt for one of nasri, jack, theo or …. arshavin.

    let’s just wait & see what’s to come in the next 9 games & then decide on it ….

  50. skandibird

    Thanks for the ‘Rocky’ memory boys; welled up I did…. (in a girlie way)
    as for young Jack, if I was his mother, which I’m not, I would tell him off, and where was his Dad when the ‘birds and bees’ conversation should have taken place? Anyway, he’ll have to marry her now, shotgun wedding probably, the girls Dad will be round knocking on his door shortly…..

  51. R.S.P.C.Arsenal

    Man… i remember buying a ticket of a tout and sitting behind Rocky in the west stand upper when he scored that goal against Middlesbrough.. went before his time..RIP rocky…

    the club should do something on saturday!

  53. bernard (bade the gooner)

    thnx for that ….
    i also didn’t see him, as he played in the years where tv coverage wasn’t that developed abroad…. I just heard that the lad was so good, some kind of a parlour type player ….
    i hope that a decade after he’s gone, the arsenal will find some reconciliation in the name of henry lansbury

  56. David

    Seems the Arse have a long history of selling their stars too early.

    I.Wright was ticked off when he was sold.

    RIP ROcky

  57. 1886-2006

    R.I.P Rocky. I was lucky enough to see Rocky play from the beginning of his career and I am still saddened that someone who gave so much to us was taken at a young age. I have too many good memories to list them all so I would just like to say, thank you for the memories and the dedication to the shirt. You really were one of “The Arsenal Legends” and you are sorely missed.
    I smiled when you played and I cried when you died, but you will always live on in our hearts.

    http://www.arsenal.com/news/reserves-news/remembering-rocky…-a-true-arsenal-legend

  60. paul

    I remember when rocky made his debut when he came on as a sub against newcastle at highbury. He torn them apart within seconds of coming on and for a young guy to have such an impact, that shows how good he was…

  61. R.S.P.C.Arsenal

    yeah the selling of him to Leeds was an unhappy event, however i believe that GG said that he was experiencing problems with his knees… he did move about after the first sell.

  62. pharo9ja

    RIP son. Nice ode(ish) touch geoff.
    My player of the year would be between Jack/nasri and sagna/van persie. Then flop of the season(two years running) would be cesc. Denilson /almunia are no footballers so dont deserve a mention.
    Gambon could be up there as boring poster of the year

  63. David

    I think Sagna is a great shout for our player of the year, most probably the only player who would get in the invicibles in front of Laurent (who was good).

    Not sure about the Nasri not stepping up to the plate comments, it is hard to do when your stuck out on the wing by a Baffoon of a manager.

    Van P for POY what a joke, he can’t even give us 20 games a season, never has and never will. No good having a world class player on the treatment table over half the season.

  66. Santos

    RIP Rocastle…. I watched him in the classics… he was great[I started following Arsenal since 1999 cuz of Kanu,that's why]

  70. reggie 57

    Rocky was a true Arsenal man!! gunner thru and thru, thats more than you can say for the current imposter’s playing for us now!!!
    Hang your heads in shame !!you know who you are!!

  75. realistic tony

    wonderful player..and what a goal against man utd…to chip a huge goalie like schmeical takes some doing and great footwork to even get the shot in.
    That 88 -89 team was as good an arsenal team as ive seen…..perhaps less flair than the invincibles…but great spirit epitomised by rocky!

  76. jonners

    I fully agree that Jack deserves the youg player of the year award but he’ll only win it if we win the league title. If we don’t it’ll go to Smalling.

  78. jonners

    I’m nopt going to diasagree with you SUGA3, just telling you what’s going to happen. Think of the years when Cesc was by far the best young player in the league, who won it? From memory, Rooney, Ronaldo etc.

  79. Santos

    jonners
    The PFA young player award will defo gO to JW, if we win the league or not. He has been world Class this term

  86. gooner

    Jonners, it will go to bale. There is already a media frenzy sucking spurs cock. Apparently a second half hattrick in a game they still lost makes him ‘better than ronaldo’ in the words of twitchy cunt

  89. pharo9ja

    Davy boy as regards van persie I dnt think u have to play every game or be injury free to qualify to be POY. Really u dnt. The impact of a player on his team’s success is more like it. If we win the league(I know I know),wouldnt u say he’d be among the players u’d say shone the brightest?

  91. pharo9ja

    Santos u extra terrestial! Lol! I’ve been in and out havent caught up with u on here 4 a while! How are things at ur end? Shebi u dey enjoy?

  92. KM

    Afternoon lads

    Suga3

    from what i’v seen of Smalling he’s a v.good buy.

    He’l be a gem imo

    No wonder ManU raced in ahead of us to sign him.

    We need David Dein back at the club to sort out our transfer dealings

  95. pharo9ja

    I actually think having a child would straighten young jack up! See what it did to glen johnson. Bt come to think u only have to look at the terrys,rooneys and crouches of this world to scratch ur head and go erhm…think not!

  96. Hussain

    Pharoah

    Cesc was amazing last season! He has been poor this season though, our issue is that our players are never consistent enough, Cesc, Tommy V and Song were brilliant last season, Nasri, Jack, Theo and JD have been brilliant this term but Cesc Tommy V and Song haven’t been able to maintain the same

  97. R.S.P.C.Arsenal

    dear gobby…why is it a joke to sell two players who are mostly injured, one of them wants away anyway. sell RVP whilst there is a shred of a chance we will get more cash than next year!

  98. R.S.P.C.Arsenal

    SUGA …when every one was calling on us to sign smalling i thought whooah… if you notice when he plays teams target him, he is a weak link…predictable, sluggish! poor distribution!

  99. KM

    Neymar’s buy-out clause is £36m.

    Thats fuck all for signing one of the worlds best strikers…he’s going to be a real star this boy

    I wish we had the ambition to go for this

  101. R.S.P.C.Arsenal

    it was in the papers in november that young jack was casting his rod in other ponds… this seems like a desperate ex trying to hang on to her fella and re kindle the relationship! now why would that be…..have a baby to a multi millionaire…Oh!

  103. Hussain

    Last season’s Tommy V and this season’s JD and we have a great CB partnership looked after by this year’s Jack and last year’s Song! This season’s Nasri and last season’s Cesc! We would have won the league had this happened this season

  105. KM

    Re. Wilshere

    This kid needs to grip a on his life…..i dnt want him to end up like other scum footballers

    Also many of us want him to become a holding player. I am against that, I want Wenger to build him up as a Xavi type of midfielder…playing behind an attacking midfielder and in front of a DM. It’l be a waste of his talents if he gets pigeon holed as a holding player or DM

  107. KM

    We can surely build him up and he would love our style of football

    Otherwise he’l go to Chelsea or Barca

    Imo he’l fit in easily at Barca but aren’t they skint?

  109. KM

    We need a striker who can run in behind the lines, beat the last defender.

    None of our players can do that.

    RvP doesn’t have the pace
    Bendtner same
    Chamakh has some pace but can’t shoot to save his life

    I’d sell Bendtner and get in Kevin Gameiro – if we want a cheap quick fix

  110. KM

    Big Dave

    The problem is nowadays £15m buys u fuck all

    Even Cahill would cost u £20m+

    Hazard your looking at £25m easy

  112. Santos

    So long as Le Prof is at helm. It a’int gonna happen. At this stage I want to see big Boys in the team, no more french kids or other kids who won’t cut it or are being hyped..

  115. Santos

    Alfie
    But they have other good players who make his crock-iness unnoticed. Over here , We miss Van Persie always. Whenever he plays I’m worriedsick about any potential injurieS. Also note that I don’t want him to be sold…..

  117. TonyS

    Hmm….so that girl got pregnant JUST before her & Jack split up. Man, that’s some unlucky coincidence….,,,,

  122. Michael

    Along with plenty of others on here I used to stand on the North Bank and sing Rocky’s name. Football was different back then for me anyway, I had more of a bond with the players then and I think they had more of a bond with us but that might be age talking. Rocky cared about the Arse and knew what it meant to wear the shirt something a lot of the current crop no nothing about. Think someone has already mentioned Rocky at Anfield with his clenched fist and gritted teeth I can’t imagine anyone in the current team doing that (maybe Jack). Now we have to make do with Denilson, Diaby and the like piss balling around strolling through games it’s a fucking disgrace.

    I was lucky enough to be at Anfield in 89 and from my position up top in the corner next to the Pool fans I was sure it was Rocky who put the ball in the net it was bedlam when the ball went in and I didn’t find out it was Mickey Thomas until I got back on the coach !

    One last thought I was at Wembley back in the day and can’t quite remember what final it was and someone had a large banner which read “Rocky 7 coming to a stadium near you soon !” will never forget that and will never forget you Rocky. X

  123. KM

    I think we could get Cahill – £20m
    plus the promise to Coyle that we will loan him any future talents if we see fit

    **Get a DM in…..you can easily get one of the French DM’s for around £15m

    Get Gameiro in – £15m
    (He’s a relative unknown atm compared to the hype around Neymar/Cavani etc)

    I dnt think we really need Hazard yet because we’v got Theo and Nasri who play on the Right Wing. Also he would cost £25m at least. I’d rather go for Elia, a left winger who’s having an unhappy time at Hamburg. You could pick him up for £15m.

    That adds up to a £65m spending spree.

    Selling Bendtner would raise around £15m at least. Rosicky £5m. Denislon £5m. Imo Clichy will be sold because he hasn’t signed a contract and Arsenal have been down that road already with Flamini etc so thats at least £20m. Also the question of Cesc Fabregas – will he go or will he stay?

    Without selling Cesc your looking at earning £45m from the players sold. That’s a £20m spend …which isn’t bad imo. Also we can sell the trash we have in the reserves.

  124. Goonerpower

    We miss you rocky!!!!

    Hahaha Wenger sounds strange on that automated “press blah blah” I think there trying to make it personal from him.

  125. KM

    Big Dave

    Damn..it looks like he’s off to Valencia – this guy was the David Villa type….pity that. I like the look of Remy but is he prolific enough? he’s got skill/speed/strength

  126. MatthewT

    I didn’t want jack to become just another scummy footballer either but its more than likely that he will because that is what happens when you give dumb arrogant kids lots of money and fame.

  127. KM

    Franchise

    Would love Giovinco but he’s another playmaker

    Unbeleivably talented but he likes to play in the middle and we’v got way too many players like that

  128. Santos

    Valencia are going to be stronger if so. They should get Capoue to make up the French contingent. Remy would be a good buy for us. Am I the only oNe who thinks he reSembles Thierry?

  129. Marcus

    Can someone please explain to me how Tottenham can be able to bid for players in the 20 MEUR area? They should be broke as hell shouldn’t they? I mean where does all their money come from???

  134. Gooby

    Remy is a raw talent with lot of potential, he could fullfil it in a top club.

    He reminds me of th14 sometimes

  139. bade the gooner (bernard)

    We will sign denilson’s brother who is as skilful as his older brother…
    Then will release denilson, that will turn to be the best midfielder around glove & will captain brazil & barca before end of year …

    Oh boy … That was some stuff…

  141. KM

    I like Remy but he seems to stick to the wing a lot… a bit like Henry when he used to come in from the left wing.

    Would be interesting because then we could get Remy and Walcott interchanging positions but Wenger would have to do a lot of work on Remy imo

  143. bade the gooner (bernard)

    Fuuu, I shouldn’t be doing this during work …
    Using my BB for improper conduct.
    Especially before a hearing session in some fucked up institute…
    Mind you, Don’t try this at home boys…

  149. dennisdamenace

    David Rocastle “Remember who you are, what you are and who you represent.”

    That should be in big letters in the dressing room!

  150. Big Dave

    In the dressing room it should say

    Top keeper wanted and Centre back, apply with in.
    Actually maybe that should be on the visitors dressing room

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