By DJArse and Boris Mellor
May 29 2023

It was a fantastic atmosphere at the ground this Sunday for the final match and lap of appreciation. Only a few weeks ago the crowd were so disappointed that many left early, but against Wolves they were ready to party from the ko. They were of course disappointed to miss winning the league, but now they wanted to show their appreciation for a season of often beautiful football and last vminutes thrill s and spills.

I have been present at every lap of appreciation at the Emirates since it opened and this was the best by far. Almost everyone stayed behind and the crowd serenaded Arteta and Xhaka,  plus many more, in particular Saliba.The team hadnt let them down providing a glorious 5-0 win, nearly a a fairy tale hat trick by Xhaka, and a wonder goal by Saka. The crowd left inspired as did the team.

Anyway enough of my ramblings lets move on to the ratings.

Boris Mellor

Season's ratings 2022-3

DJArse

 

I probably saw a lot less games than many of you - only a handful of live games in person and another handful on TV so feel free to disagree!

Arteta 8.5 Incredible achievement with:

• A thin squad - 7 players made 34 or more starts and 3 more made 24 or more starts in 38 PL games. And we had the least team changes in the PL this season;
• The youngest squad in the PL;
• Sceptical supporters – the atmosphere at the stadium and support for all the team players has been transformed this season;

But he needs to:

• Recruit well over the summer to strengthen the squad especially in midfield
• Learn to rotate the enlarged squad better so players do not burn out;
• And improve ways to introduce Academy prospects into the team or the Academy will decline – only one Academy player appeared for the first team this season which is worrying!

Ramsdale 7.5 Many brilliant saves but needs to cut out the mistakes
White 7.5 Revelation at RB but less convincing at CB
Tomiyasu 6 Injuries and lost rhythm – big worry
Saliba 8 Excellent until his injury
Holding 6 Good club servant but needs to move on
Gabriel 7.5 Very good but needs to cut out the mistakes
Kiwior 6.5 Encouraging signs from first appearances
Zinchenko 7 Leader, fine midfielder – let down by poor defending
Tierney 6.5 Works incredibly hard but does he fit our system now
Odegaard 8.5 Yes occasionally “missing”, but terrific midfield leader
Vieira 6 Slow adaptation – needs big improvement
Partey 7 Form up and down – good and bad
Jorginho 7 Proved very reliable when called upon
Xhaka 8.5 Remarkable season and output in goals/assists/leadership
Saka 9 Player of the season despite being knackered at the end
Nelson 6.5 Good impact player – unlikely though to be a regular
Jesus 8 Great at season start – recovery from injury almost there
Nketiah 6.5 Failed to take his chance - unlikely to be a regular
Trossard 7.5 Mr Assists – good impact player and squad member
Martinelli 8.5 Unbelievable energy and improvement this season

Turner, Haan, Elneny, Marquinhos, Smith-Rowe, Lokonga, Soares, Nwaneri – all impossible to rank from so few games

More ratings and discussion here: