Player Ratings 2013/14 - Part Two: Defenders

Per MERTESACKER (CB) - 4

29 years old - 51+1 apps / 3 goals (2 PL / 1 FA Cup)

The affectionately termed ‘BFG’ has been, without doubt, one of the stars of the season, not just for us, but in the Premier League in general. Another who has come through criticism to show his quality, Mertesacker has established himself as a key player in the side and started nearly every league game for us, as well as starting all our European fixtures. When he first arrived, he was ridiculed for his lack of pace and the media went for him, hoping he would flop and provide them with another stick with which to beat Wenger. But, alongside his defensive partner Koscielny, he’s become one of the league’s best centre backs.

But he has become more than that for the team. With Koscielny and the BFG himself keeping the club captain, Thomas Vermaelen, out of the team, Mertesacker has been captain when Arteta hasn’t played. But even when Vermaelen and Arteta have been on the pitch, he’s been the unofficial leader of the team and has marshalled the defence expertly. People will disagree, but for his consistency and the impact he’s had on our side Per Mertesacker is my player of the season for 2013/14.

Season Rating - 9/10

Worst Moment - Wigan 1-1 Arsenal (FA Cup) - The FA Cup semi final provides both Mertesacker’s moments, the first being his lunging tackle which gave Wigan a stonewall penalty and had us staring into the abyss.

Best Moment - Wigan 1-1 Arsenal (FA Cup) - For a defender, the best moment should be some amazing covering tackle or clearance of the line, but for me, the moment he bundled in our equaliser in the last minutes of the semi final will be one of the most iconic of this particular cup run.

World Cup? - Yes, Mertesacker will be heading to Brazil, likely as Germany’s best centre back.

Will he stay? - This barely requires an answer, but yes, he’s not for sale at any price.

Laurent KOSCIELNY - 6

28 years old - 46 apps / 3 goals (2 PL / 1 FA Cup)

For me, Koscielny represents the perfect Wenger signing. Picked up for a modest sum from French side Lorient in 2010, Koscielny had spent his two previous seasons before that playing for teams in Ligue 2. After one season in Ligue 1, Wenger brought him to Arsenal and the French defender hasn’t missed a beat. It’s been a pretty meteoric rise and bar a bumpy period the season before last, he has become one of our most important players. His pace and ability to nip in front of strikers is his most impressive attribute, although his heading and strength are also formidable attributes. His game provides the perfect counterpoint to that of Per Mertesacker and has been a key part of our improved showing this season. He’s just 28 as well, meaning he will have at least three or four more years at the top of his game, maybe even more.

Season Rating - 8/10

Worst Moment - Stoke City 1-0 Arsenal (PL) - Koscielny was on the wrong end of a number of dubious penalty decisions this season, but the Stoke one was the worst moment for me because it came late on and lost us the game.

Best Moment - Hull City 2-3 Arsenal (FA Cup) - There’s a bit of a theme developing with the FA Cup, but Koscielny’s scrappy equaliser, which nearly broke his ankle, was vital to us ending our trophy drought.

World Cup? - Yes, Koscielny will be an integral part of the French squad in Brazil.

Will he stay? - Koscielny has just signed a new long term contract, so yes, he will.