Highlight – so many to choose from: the deadlock breaker against Man City early in the season, a screamer at Spurs, a masterclass against Slavia

ABOU DIABY

Highlight – a screamer against Derby to open the scoring. He also scored a similar one against Sunderland, but it was disallowed.

Lowlight – being played out of position so often (has he actually started in central midfield at all this season???)

Future prospects – given the amount of talent we have in the middle of the park, and the fact that they are all little tyros, Abou’s prospects are not too great. A shame really, because when he came over from Auxerre he was bossing the midfield, many had touted him to be the long-term partner to Cesc. Dan Smith the wanker ended his season with an x-rated tackle, and he hasn’t been the same since. May have to get used to left-midfield, or hope that in the longer-term we switch our tactics to 4-3-3.

CESC FABREGAS

Highlight – so many to choose from: the deadlock breaker against Man City early in the season, a screamer at Spurs, a masterclass against Slavia, the cool finish against the Mancs. I could go on. But I have to choose his equaliser at Anfield, because it came pretty late on and, having already missed a sitter, he came trumps when we needed him most.

Lowlight – hamstring injury picked against Sevilla. Bah humbug.

Future prospects – as the chant goes: “We’ve got Cesc Fabregas” Hopefully forever and ever and ever!

TOMAS ROSICKY

Highlight – none of his goals thus far have been vital, most of them coming when we’re already ahead. But at least he is scoring them these days. If I was to pick a single highlight, I’d say the way he links with Cesc and Hleb.

Lowlight – niggly injuries, apparently caused by an imbalance in his muscle structure. And he won’t be able to sort it in the summer either as he’ll be captaining his country in the Euros.

Future prospects – depends on injuries. As he has shown, when he gets a clean run in the team he grows as the games go on. But usually that is cut short by injury. If he can steer clear of them, then he should blossom next season, which will be his third at Arsenal (much like his mate Hleb is blossoming in his third season).

LASSANA DIARRA

Highlight – his super-efficient debut against Newcastle. My mate DJ nearly wet himself watching that.

Lowlight – none as such so far, although he does give a few hospital passes now and then. One day that may be costly, I’m thinking Vieira to Giggs in the 1999 FA Cup semi.

Future prospects – excellent, as long as he is patient. Can seemingly dovetail with any of the other young central midfielders as he is the true anchorman in the squad (excluding Gilberto).

ALEX HLEB

Highlight – the last-gasp winner against Fulham on the opening day. In time, that could turn out to be the most crucial goal of our season.

Lowlight – being better than John Carew, so much so that the Norwegian had to take revenge, the cunt.

Future prospects – very bright indeed. The way he links up with Cesc and Tommy is magnificent. Eventually I feel the side will evolve into a 4-3-3, with Cesc, Alex and a holding midfielder. This should suit him down to the ground as he has been a revelation in the hole. If only he had more confidence to SHOOOOOOOOOT!

DENILSON

Highlight – a rocket against Newcastle in the Kiddies Cup. I was sitting right behind and it was postage stamp.

Lowlight – I guess being involved in the end of the unbeaten run away to Sevilla.

Future prospects – for now, he is one of the first names on the teamsheet in the Carling Cup. Unfortunate to have Cesc in the same squad as him, although Denilson may develop into a more defensive midfielder.

THE FLAMSTER

Highlight – for him a personal highlight would be winning his first cap, something which has been born of excellent performances in the heart of midfield. His goals are all vital – the opener just before half-time at Reading and the equaliser at the Villa. Even last year he chipped in with some important goals – Chelsea away and the first against the Scousers at home.

Lowlight – none that I can think of.

Future prospects – very good. It seems like he has been around for ages but he is only 23. I remember when we played Chelsea in the league at Highbury almost exactly three years ago, Flamini and Cesc started in a ‘depleted’ midfield that day. I doubt anyone would have envisaged them being the first choice pairing three years later.

GILBERTO

Highlight – oh dear, not much…(I guess shoring up things when he came on at Villa).

Lowlight – oh dear, not much…(being ultra-rusty at Sevilla)

Future prospects – the lack of highlights/lowlights says it all really. Poor Gilberto, one minute he is captain-in-waiting and the next he is a bit-part player. At least he hasn’t been moaning like Jens, although giving Fabianski the captaincy ahead of him for the Carling Cup tie at Bramall Lane does smell rather fishy. With rumours of Juve sniffing around I would be sad to see him go in January, he has a lot to offer us in the second-half of the season, even if it is cameos like against Villa. To be honest I don’t think he will leave in January, especially with Kolo gone for a while. But a departure in the summer seems guaranteed.

EMMANUEL EBOUE

Highlight/Lowlight – I’ve combined the two because every performance is the same from him: good power and pace going forward, decent helping Sagna out behind him, lack of end-product (especially goals) and the usual histrionics. Jekyll and Hyde.

Future prospects – back in the run to Paris people were touting him as the next great right-back in world football. That notion collapsed when he started making defensive errors last season, but contrastingly improved his crossing. The natural move was to make him a right-midfielder and whilst his crossing is good, his theatrics put a downer on anything else. Need to cut it out, son. Until he does so I fear he won’t be truly accepted by the Emirates faithful. He is often made the scapegoat for poor passages of play, even when he is completely blameless, because of his reputation as a ‘simulator’.

Thoughts? Agreements? Disagreements? That’s what the comments section is there for, so drop us a comment.