Squad Profiles

Here are the new player profiles, Thanks to K-PO

#1 Jens Lehmann
Jens was Arsené Wenger’s only major signing of the summer of 2003, and it proved to be a vital one. The German international was a part of the waterproof defense that went through an entire League campaign unbeaten. He rose to the challenge again in the 2005 FA Cup Final, making some seemingly impossible saves, and saving Paul Scholes’ penalty. In 2005/06 Jens again was brilliant for Arsenal as he and his defense set a Champions League record by having ten consecutive clean sheets. 2007/08 proved to be “Mad German’s” downfall as injuries and vital errors against Fulham and Blackburn saw him lose his first team spot of Manuel Almunia, who impressed in Jens’ stead. Jens almost left the club in January 2008, and now seems destined to leave in the summer, or possibly retire after Euro 2008.

#2 Abou Diaby
Abou Diaby was purchased in January 2006, and was immediately compared to Patrick Vieira. Despite the physical similarities, their style of play has since been proven not to be similar. Diaby’s promising progress at Arsenal was unexpectedly postponed, when he was ruled out for nine months after a horror tackle from Sunderland’s Dan Smith. He returned in January 2007 against Liverpool, and has since been used on the left wing. However, Wenger has promised to return him to his natural position, center midfield, for next season.

#3 Bacary Sagna
Right back Sagna joined the club as a nobody and is now already know as one of the best right backs in the Premier League, and world. After winning over the Arsenal faithful and opening his account against Chelsea, he looks to be on the right track at Arsenal.

#4 Cesc Fabregas
Young passing magician Fabregas is arguably the most important member of the squad. His passing creativity is exceptional and is considered by many already an Arsenal legend. He has nothing but the good of the team in his mind, and is a probable option for future first-team captain.

#5 Kolo Touré
Fan’s favorite Kolo came to Arsenal in 2002, and is Arsenal’s current longest serving player. He emerged in the Untouchable’s season as a replacement for Martin Keown, and received rave reviews along with defensive partner Sol Campbell. A strong, solid center back who loves to get forward, Kolo is the vice-captain of Arsenal and is know for his pace, determination, and althetism.

#6 Philippe Senderos
The 22-year-old center back is Arsenal’s third choice central defender. Bought from Swiss club Servette as a teenager, he has progressed through the Arsenal ranks to the first team. He emerged to the starting line-up in the 2004/05 and 2005/06 seasons. In 2005/06 he was part of the integral defense that broke a record by keeping ten straight clean sheets. During this run, he formed a great partnership with Kolo Touré. He lost a lot of his supporters in the 2006/07 season when he had a below-par season, and many called for him to be sold. But he proved his doubters wrong by putting in some brilliant performances in 2007/08, especially against AC Milan in the Champions League.

#7 Tomas Rosicky
Rozza, as he is sometimes known, is a very frustrating part of the Arsenal first team. He is the first choice left-winger for the Gunners, but it seems he can hardly stay fit. We have seen his potential in 2006/07 when he scored a double against Liverpool, and a cracker against Hamburg SV. Gooners just have to hope he can stay fit to have a true effect on the first team’s performances.

#9 Eduardo da Silva
Deadly forward Eduardo looked like one of Wenger’s finest signing during the beginning of the 2007/08 campaign. His coolness in front of goal was exceptional, while also being very adapt to Arsenal’s style of play. However, in late February, his season was ended after a horror tackle by Martin Taylor. He was ruled out of the remainder of the 2007/08 campaign, and may not be back until early 2009 at the latest. We all await the return of Eduardo.

#10 William Gallas
Captain Gallas, who joined the club in a scandalous switch between him and Ashley Cole, joined from Chelsea in a last-day transfer in 2006. During his first season he experienced a lot of injury problems, and was disappointed with the team’s overall performances throughout the season, and said that he wanted to leave the club. However, Wenger made him club captain in a shock move, when most people were expecting Gilberto to become captain. However, he has taken the role ever so well.

#11 Robin van Persie
Although he is quite injury prone, when he is 100% fit RvP is a true class-act. The Dutchman was signed in the summer of 2004, and has been turning heads ever since. He has the leading scorer at Arsenal in the 2006/07 season, and in the 2007/08 he formed a great partnership with Emmanuel Adebayor, the club’s Togolese striker. Van Persie is one of the club’s most talented players, and if he can stay fit, he is well on his way to becoming an Arsenal legend.

#13 Aliaksandr Hleb
The silky winger or attacking midfielder truly burst onto the scene in 2007/08, when early season performances drew many impressed eyes on the Belarussian. His performances peaked when he was involved in 5 of the 7 Arsenal goals scored against Slavia Prague in 2007. He has a great understanding with fellow midfielder Cesc Fabregas, and right back Bacary Sagna, and also looks set to be an Arsenal great.

#15 Denilson
The young Brazilian was signed on the transfer deadline day of 2006 practically unnoticed. He jumped onto the scene with a brilliant performance in the Carling Cup second leg against Spurs. Since then, he has been improving and improving. He scored his first goals in the Carling Cup this season against Sheffield United and Newcastle United. He is one of the most promising youngsters at the club, and has a great future ahead of him.

#16 Mathieu Flamini
The French midfield used to be a bench warmer until the 2007/08 season, when he burst onto the scene in a very classy manner. He forged a brilliant partnership with Cesc Fabregas in midfield, and the highlight of his season was keeping World Player of the Yea Kaka quiet over two legs in the Champions League.

#17 Alexandre Song
The Cameroonian youngster repaid the faith put in him by Arsene Wenger in 2007/08. He had a great season in the Carling Cup, and was especially impressive for Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations. Bossing the midfield, he helped them to the final, only to get injured and have to watch them lose the final to Egypt from the sideline.

#19 Gilberto Silva
Brazilian veteran Gilberto had a brilliant start to his Arsenal career when he joined in 2002, and was a vital member of the Invincibles team. He was set to be the captain of Arsenal after legend Thierry Henry left for Barcelona. However, defender William Gallas won Wenger’s favor, and Gilberto lost his place in the team to Mathieu Flamini. It was a frustrating year for Gilbs, as he is sometimes know, however his had a brilliant attitude, and maybe even stay to fight for his place if Mathieu Flamini leaves for Milan.

#20 Johan Djourou
The Ivorian born Swiss defender is a very promising prospect for the Gunners. After an impressive loan spell at Birmingham he had a silent return to the Gunners, and mainly played in the Reserves, in the absence of Fran Merida (on loan) and Henri Lansbury to long-term illness. However next season he should be more involved in the first team, and turn his potential into quality.

#21 Lukasz Fabianski
The young Pole joined Arsenal in May 2007. He has been very impressive in the Reserves and Carling Cup with his shotstopping, but still has experience to gain on the other aspects of the game. He is a very promising prospect, and could be a first team keeper for Arsenal one day.

#22 Gael Clichy
One of the top left backs in the world, Clichy has done nothing but impress since receiving a starting place after Ashley Cole left for Chelsea. He lacks two things that he is desperate for in his career however, a full French cap, and a career goal. Surely next campaign will bring both.

#24 Manuel Almunia
The Spanish keeper was very patient during his first few years at Arsenal, playing only in the Carling Cup. However, he took over the No. 1 spot after two horrible mistakes from Jens Lehmann earlier in the season. He has done nothing but impress, especially against Chelsea at the Emirates, where he kept a brilliant clean sheet.

#25 Emmanuel Adebayor
Possibly the most improved player EVER, after going from eight league goals on season, to twenty-four the next. The Togolese man signed as a striker for injury cover, and has become a firm fan favorite. Although at times inconsistent, and lacking composure at times, he brings the goods, in goals.

#26 Nicklas Bendtner
The Big Dane’s attitude is sometimes questionable, but his class certainly is not. In his first season in the first team, he has mainly come off the bench, and had brilliant affect on most of the games he has been in. While also notching up four goals in the League, there is no doubt he can score, and his name is certainly one to remember.

#27 Emmanuel Eboue
The Ivorian is certainly not a fan’s favorite, but has potential that is unquestionable. His crossing ability is brilliant, and he is quick, strong, and makes good runs. He has a lot of room for improvement, however, especially in the goal scoring category.

#30 Armand Traore
Armand is one of the most promising youngsters in Europe, let alone Arsenal. Thought of as the next left back or even left winger. He is a regular in the Reserves and Carling Cup, and has established himself as the second-choice left back. He is certainly one to look out for in the future, and be prepared to see him in the first team next term.

#31 Justin Hoyte
Justin Hoyte has been at Arsenal since he was about nine years old, and has repeated his desire to stay at the club, although he never gets a game. He is a promising, yet somewhat inconsistent player, who doesn’t look like he has great chances of making it at Arsenal, as he is already 23.

#32 Theo Walcott
The youngster came to Arsenal from Southampton at only 15 years of age, and to much hype. A few months later he was called up to the England squad in the World Cup, but never did get on. Many Gooners blamed the massive hype of the World Cup for Theo’s slow progress at Arsenal. However, he has begun to give Arsene Wenger a selection headache as his true ability is finally starting to show. Undoubtedly a future first teamer, the winger striker is arguable the biggest young talent at the club.

Click on a player for full profile

1	Lehmann	2	Diaby	3	Sagna
4	Fabregas	5	Toure	6	Senderos
7	Rosicky	8	Diarra	9	Eduardo
10	Gallas	11	Van Persie	13	Hleb
15	Denilson	16	Flamini	17	Song Billong
19	Silva	21	Fabianski	22	Clichy
24	Almunia	25	Adebayor	26	Bendtner
27	Eboue	30	Traore	31	Hoyte
32	Walcott	33	Barazite	34	Lansbury
35	Randall	36	Gibbs	36	Mannone
37	Murphy	39	Hoyte	42	Perez
	Nordtveit

Stats from the BBC website

Arsene Wenger