Half-Term Report

Evening Gooners I hope you have a few minutes to read my half-term report for our noble players and their performances so far this season, before, unlike me, you go out for the gallant pursuit of drink and birds.

Goalkeepers

Wojciech Szczesny: B - Has been fairly solid and occasionally spectacular this season. Has made a couple of mistakes and his shot-stopping from distance remains a worry, as does his distribution, but certainly the only one of our keepers who inspires any confidence at all.

Vito Mannone: C - Decent initially and he did put in some good performances against the like so Schalke and United but at other times he's shown us exactly why he's 3rd choice; his pathetic attempt at saving Kacaniklic's header against Fulham sticks in the mind.

Defenders

Bacary Sagna: B minus - looked good on his comeback game and has mostly been solid but recently he has looked slow and lethargic (perhaps due to the leg breaks) and much less reliable. Starting to think him not getting a long term deal might not be a bad thing.

Carl 'Corporal' Jenkinson: B+. Much improved on last season. I had my doubts about him but saw that he had been thrown in the deep end and was prepared to give him a chance, and he's coped much better this season, very strong defensively, quick, decent crosser and would run through a brick wall for the Arsenal

Kieran Gibbs: B+. Very good initially and his partnership with Poldi on the left was missed during his injury. Looks like he could be our LB for years to come, if he stays fit (). Game against Newcastle showed there is still work to be done though.

Andre Santos: C-. His time as first choice was short and not very sweet. Still sluggish and defensively clueless and he seems to have lost some his verve going forward. Possibly distracted by either his speeding incident, interest from Turkey or his undying affection for RvP.

Thomas Vermaelen: B-. Looked good initially but a bad game vs. Chelsea was the start of a poor run of form culminating in a shocking error to gift United and RvP the lead at OT. Has improved recently but still not his usual commanding self, goals have dried up too.

Laurent Koscielny: B. Shocking against Chelsea and away at Reading in the cup but has since been consistent when called upon. Very quick and has the vision of an assassin but really needs a tall physical partner (not Vermaelen.

Per Mertesacker: A. Our best/most consistent player this season, can only think of one mistake which cost a goal (vs. Spurs), his reading of the game has been fantastic but he has also become as commanding as we initially expected, He's a real tower of strength but he has also proven vs. City and Liverpool that he can deal with the small, irritating forwards. Passing much improved as well.

Midfielders

Mikel Arteta: B-. Has at times looked out of his depth at DM physically and his distribution is accurate but pedestrian. Has stopped shooting and rarely creates chances. 2nd season syndrome?

Jack Wilshere B+. Has recovered extraordinarily quickly after his injury to hit form again, he has that old touch and composure on the ball with a new found creative purpose, that assist for Poldi on Saturday is what he's all about. Needs to score more goal though.

Aaron Ramsey B-. Promising start and generally looks good coming off the bench but when he starts he slows down the play. Playing out of position hasn't helped either.

Santi Cazorla A. Unplayable on his day, very creative, agile and as Jamie Redknapp said, you couldn't get the ball off him in a postbox. Goal threat with both feet. Love him, however he does still have some adapting to do to the physical side of the game and he sometimes gets marked out of games. Disappointed not to see him take set pieces given his record in Spain.

Ox C: Has been generally average this season, hasn't lived up to last season's hype and sometimes tries too hard which results in him giving the ball away regularly. Confident it's just a phase though.

Forwards

Theo Walcott A: Has generally delivered when called upon in either position, his finishing has improved immeasurably as has his crossing. Very potent but does need to work on his left-foot and of course his decision making (both on and off the pitch)

Olivier Giroud B: Slow start and very much a confidence player, but a huge threat when given the right service. Great in the air and not bad with the ball at his feet, passing needs improving though.

Gervinho C: Promising start but since then it has been unadulterated shiite. Can't really play football but he is quick and unpredictable.

Lukas Podolski B+: Strong, quick, deadly finisher and has good technique, but tends to drift in and out of games and his work rate could be better. When he's up for it he's a real threat, give him a chance on his left and he can finish like anyone in the PL.