Most Improved Players: Aaron Ramsey and Carl Jenkinson
Two players claim this award, with great progress shown by both Aaron Ramsey and Carl Jenkinson.
Boyhood Gooner Jenkinson has had to fill in at right back this season due to injuries suffered by Bacary Sagna, perhaps rather sooner than he expected, and has been forced to learn on the job.
His dependable performances resulted in some fans calling for him to keep his place in the team even when Sagna returned to fitness, and although that didn’t happen, perhaps it was the wake-up call the Frenchman needed to stay on his toes.
Apart from two rash tackles against Sunderland that earned him bookings and a subsequent red card, Jenkinson proved a solid option for the Emirates Stadium outfit.
With Sagna’s future in question, Jenkinson’s path into the first team may not be blocked for long – particularly if he improves at his current rate.
Aaron Ramsey was in danger of being labelled a jack of all trades and master of none at Arsenal, and has played on left and right wings as well as in the trequartista position behind the striker.
The Welshman typically began games on the bench in the first half of the season before coming on to steady the ship with his cultured passing.
However, upon Arsene Wenger reinventing him as a holding midfielder, Ramsey shone alongside Mikel Arteta protecting the defence and launching attacks, and became a regular starter.
What’s more, in the aforementioned Sunderland game, Ramsey performed excellently at right back after Jenkinson received his marching orders.
He has proved a wonderfully useful squad player, and now has the challenge of keeping his place in the starting line-up with Arsene Wenger thought to be buying an orthodox defensive midfielder this summer.
COMMENTS