by Will Z. Schwartz
With Euro 2016 looming over the horizon, Arsenal fans everywhere will be tuning in to watch their favorite club’s players battle it out in France. However, which players are more worth watching than others? Who’s more crucial to their country’s success than who? We at Sons of Arshavin have the answers (as usual), with the opening edition of our Euro 2016 player rankings.
1) Mesut Özil, Germany – The easiest choice of this list, Mesut Özil will enter the Euros at the peak of his powers, fresh off a historically good season for the Gunners. Having led the league in both assists (19) and chances created (171), Özil represents one of the top creative players in the world. His assist stats may have dropped off a tad towards the end of the season, yet that can largely be attributed towards some absolutely torrid finishing from the Arsenal attackers (looking at you, Oli). As the creative hub for top-class players such as Thomas Müller, Julian Draxler and Mario Götze in the Die Mannschaft setup, expect the German Maestro to thrive this summer.
2) Laurent Koscielny, France – While Koscielny’s 2015/2016 campaign was riddled with inconsistency, he still clocks in as Arsenal’s best defender by a considerable margin. Equipped with the pace of a sprinter and the combative ethos of a Sith lord, Koscielny possesses all the physical traits necessary to be classed as one of the best CB’s in the world. Unfortunately for him, his penchant for mental errors has largely denied him entry to the upper echelon, rendering him susceptible to avoidable defensive mistakes. As the lead CB for one of the pre-tournament favorites, Koscielny must be at his very best in order to aid his teammates in shouldering the hopes and dreams of the entire host nation. No pressure though, Lolo.
3) Granit Xhaka, Switzerland – The most recent addition to the Arsenal setup, Granit Xhaka represents one of the most un-Wenger like transfers ever. Signed before June? Check. Cost over £30 million? Check? An actual complete DM who can both tackle and pass? Check, check, check. After being forced to endure Mathieu Flamini for the past three seasons, a holder in the ilk of Granit Xhaka will have Arsenal fans feeling like cavemen who just discovered fire. Simply put, the 2015/2016 Bundesliga Team of the Year finalist represents one of the top young DM’s in the world, effectively combining Francis Coquelin’s ferocity with Mikel Arteta’s ability to actually play football. He’ll be forced to fill a more advanced role for Switzerland this summer due to their lack of midfield depth, yet Xhaka should still be able to act as the box to box dynamo that’ll have Gooners around the world squealing with delight.
4) Petr Cech, Czech Republic – When Petr Cech conceded two exasperatingly savable goals against West Ham during the first half of his Arsenal Premier League debut, onlookers everywhere began to wonder whether or not the 34 year old Chelsea legend was over the hill. Luckily, a Golden Glove winning campaign allowed Cech to confirm to his doubters that the rumors of his demise had been greatly exaggerated, saving the Arsenal defense numerous times with his massive frame and catlike reflexes. The Czech Republic side wont expect to make too deep a run during these European Finals, largely due to an aging squad and difficult group. However, they can rest easy knowing that the gargantuan goalkeeper between their posts will be able to rescue them from a certain degree of pain.
5) Aaron Ramsey, Wales – It’s been an up and down couple of years for Aaron Ramsey to say the least. After returning from a potentially career ending injury, the Welshman spent two season as a lightning rod for the ire of Arsenal fans (which as everyone knows, is the worst type of ire), before exploding for a career best 2013/2014 campaign in which he delivered Arsenal their first trophy in a decade and evolved into one of the foremost goal scoring midfielders in the world. Unfortunately, his newfound success inflated his ego to the point where his thirst for goals far outweighed his noticeable creative talents, resulting in a drove of inconsistent, often selfish performances. Ramsey will absolutely be vital to any hopes that Wales have of making a deep tournament run, however, he’ll first need to rediscover the form that created such a large ego in the first place.
6) Olivier Giroud, France – Olivier Giroud has been called many things, but there is one word that successfully sums up his very essence more effectively than any other: Polarizing. At his best, he’s virtually unplayable, bullying opponents with his muscular frame and utilizing his trademark near post runs to score a variety of quality goals. At his worst, he’s downright painful to watch, clumsily stomping around the pitch and shooting just about everywhere besides for the back of the net. With Karim Benzema snubbed from the French squad due to what is essentially his mob affiliations, Giroud cannot afford for his Jekyl and Hyde complex to hinder France’s success. Didier Deschamps has handed him the keys to the Les Blues attack by naming him their lone striker, and he’ll need to repay that faith by avoiding as many “FFS GIROUD” moments as possible.
7) Hector Bellerin, Spain – A late addition to the Spanish team, Hector Bellerin was called up to La Furia Roja following Dani Carvajal’s late withdrawal from the squad. And with good reason too. The former La Masia product is one of the premier young fullbacks in the world, combining blinding pace and skillful attacking prowess with natural defensive instincts. He recently capped off a brilliant season with a career first Premier League Team of The Year nod, cementing his status as one of the marquee youngsters to watch for both club and country.
8) Jack Wilshere, England – Before you cringey Wilshere fanboys get on my case for having your golden boy second to least, please let me make one thing clear: I SWEAR TO GOD I RATE JACK WILSHERE HIGHLY. Honestly. When fit and in form, he is one of the most dangerous midfielders in the world, tormenting defenses with his slaloming runs, outrageous skills and defense splitting vision. Unfortunately, Jack Wilshere being fit is a phenomenon comparable to sighting a yeti, or better yet, Santi Cazorla being able to reach something on the top shelf of his kitchen. England’s path to tournament success is lengthy, and could very well lie through the stubby legs of their pugnacious central creator. However, having racked up close to no playing time this season, he’ll not be afforded the luxury of playing himself back into form.
9) Wojciech Szczesny, Poland – Oh, Wojciech. Poor, sweet, insufferable Wojciech. The man who could have been an Arsenal legend simply fizzled out before our very eyes, regressing from one of the world’s most promising young keepers into a ball fumbling, shower smoking liability who will likely be leaving the Emirates for the wilderness of Serie A this summer. Ah, well. At least he hates Tottenham.
Sons of Arshavin 