Manchester United and Arsenal fans, you should be proud of your players contributions.
Let us know who would be your two…
Jonny Evans
Jonny Evans began the season as Manchester United’s fifth choice central defender, and many fans wanted him sold. Right now he is one of the first names on the teamsheet, thanks to a budding partnership with Rio Ferdinand. The 24-year-old is believed to be on the verge of being offered a new contract, which many would argue is well deserved.
After a promising breakthrough in 2008-09, Evans has remained a part of United’s first team squad. Yet last season was a real regression, with the player often physically dominated by average but sizeable opponents in Bobby Zamora and Carlton Cole. A club like United demanded better.
But as with any dip in form, it is difficult to simply snap out of, and only this season can he say he has emerged the other side.
He was sent off for a professional foul against Manchester City, which led to United being torn apart as they chased the game with 10 men, and this only led to more condemnation for the player.
The turning point was the following match, away at Everton, when Sir Alex showed his faith in him by selecting him as a starter away to Everton at Goodison Park alongside Nemanja Vidic, a game United came through with a 1-0 win.
It has been through Vidic’s season ending injury though that Evans has gained a run in the first team. Phil Jones has failed to settle at centre-back, while Chris Smalling has suffered injuries, and the Northern Irishman has seized his chance.
He scored his first United goal against Wolves last weekend, and will give his manager quite a selection dilemma when next season comes around and everybody is fit. Right now he will be very satisfied at proving his critics wrong, but will not want to ruin his improvement in the remaining games of this season, which will become more high-pressured than ever.
Laurent Koscielny
Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny is another example of why players must be given time. Last year was a tumultuous one for him, being sent off on his Premier League debut at Liverpool, and at home to Newcastle, as well as being involved in the calamitous mix-up which cost his team the Carling Cup Final.
He had his bright moments, and put in a battling although ultimately fruitless display in the Nou Camp as Arsenal attempted to hold off Barcelona last season.
This year he has been much improved, in an Arsenal side which has had more than it’s fair share of problems.
Sure he has had two own goals, at Blackburn and Liverpool, but this is down to bad luck as much as anything else. He put in another terrific defensive performance last night against Everton, and with Thomas Vermaelen alongside him, looks more solid than ever.
Observers were keen to write him off last season, but he is looking like a first choice defender more than ever, even when Per Mertesacker is fit too.
He has also taken a leaf out of Vermaelen’s book, readily joining the attack and pushing forward when the time is right, becoming one of the team’s leaders, sparking their near comeback against AC Milan by scoring the first of the Gunner’s three goals.
He has been a near ever present this season, only missing two league games- at home to Fulham and away to Tottenham. The club failed to win both of these games. Just like their FA Cup loss to Sunderland when he was out injured. Coincidence?
The future does look bright for Arsenal in the centre-back position, and Koscielny does again proves that Wenger can get it right in the transfer market, even if he does not all of the time, see- Squillaci.
Any position now- who have been the most improved players in the league this season?
As for defenders, should Younes Kaboul feature too?
image: © apasciuto
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