Player Ratings 2013/14 - Part Four: Attacking Midfielders/Wingers

Santi CAZORLA (AMC/LM) - 19

29 years old - 41+5 apps / 7 goals (4 PL / 3 FA Cup) 9 assists (8 PL / 1 FA Cup)

After a brilliant first season in Arsenal colours, Cazorla has had a less successful second campaign. By no means terrible, but not at the outstanding level he achieved in 12/13. Perhaps the fact that he spent most of this season playing from the left has had an impact on his form, or the signing of Özil overshadowed his abilities in the same role. But simply from a stats point of view, Cazorla has been less productive: in the League 12 goals became 4 and 11 assists became 8. Still, this is probably sounding overly critical, he’s not been bad at all and the goals have been shared around the team a bit more. He’s a brilliant player to have in the squad, a definite starter when fit and will hopefully improve with the rest of the squad next year.

Season Rating - 7/10

Worst Moment - Arsenal 1-3 Aston Villa (PL) - Rushed back from injury too soon, brought on in the second half and played his worst 45 minutes in an Arsenal shirt.

Best Moment - Hull City 2-3 Arsenal (FA Cup) - At 2-0 down, Santi Cazorla produced the moment of magic we desperately need when we looked shell shocked. A stunning 30 yard freekick that brought us back into the game and gave us the platform to save the game.

World Cup? - Yes, Cazorla is part of the Spain squad, making it over the likes of Jesus Navas.

Will he stay? - Yes, he’ll almost certainly be at the club for the next few years.

Tomas ROSICKY (AMC) - 7

33 years old - 25+14 apps / 4 goals (2 PL / 2 FA Cup) / 1 assist (PL)

At 33 years old, you’d expect Rosicky to be heading towards the end of his career. However, the Czech midfielder has been playing like a man in his 20s, perhaps because of the time missed through injury. Whilst undoubtedly a squad player, he’s proven he still has a lot to offer the team and is a firm fan favourite. If only he hadn’t spent so much time out with injury, he could have had an even greater impact over the last couple of seasons. But in the present, he’s certainly showing that age is no barrier when you have the quality he has.

Season Rating - 7/10

Worst Moment - Arsenal 1-3 Aston Villa (PL) - Started the first game of the season but struggled with the rest of the team and missed a good chance to level at 2-1.

Best Moment - Sp*rs 0-1 Arsenal (PL) - Just one minute into the North London derby, Rosicky broke away and after a lucky exchange with Chamberlain, fired a stunning strike into the top corner and won us the game.

World Cup? - No, the Czech Replublic didn’t make the tournament after failing to qualify from their group.

Will he stay? - Yes, he’s showing no signs of decline and continues to offer us a great option in the attack.

Read on for Theo and The Ox...