It’s that time of year again when Arsenal America members vote for their end of season awards. First up, the ArseAm Unsung Hero of the Year Award.
This one goes to the player who maybe didn’t get the publicity and the accolades, but made a big contribution to the club. This will be particularly difficult as Arsenal are:
A - Full of stars
B - Most players received tons of accolades
So, will have to be a little loose with our definitions here. Below will be my nominations with a brief explanation, voting booth on your right.
Dennis Bergkamp - This was to be the last season for the legend. Nothing more than a brief cameo in his swan song. But he turned out to be a major player in our season. Maybe he didn’t score tons of goals, but his passing and vision were crucial in several games.
Gilberto Silva - A controversial player, loved by some, reviled by others. But the fact is that when he played we rarely gave up goals. Even played out of position at times when asked.
Lauren - Another player who has both admirers and critics. I’ve seen him chosen as the best right back in the EPL on two different end-of-season lists.
Gael Clichy - Filled in occasionally for Ashley Cole and the team didn’t miss a beat. Looked comfortable even in high pressure Champions League matches.
Edu - Scored some monster goals and showed he could play tough in the midfield.
Pascal Cygan - Performed exceptionally well in the middle of the season when Kolo Toure shifted to right back to fill in for Lauren
10 Responses to “Arsenal America Unsung Hero of the Year Award”
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May 11th, 2004 at 11:27 pm
That’s a tough one, how about a 6-way tie?
I’m going to have to give it to Edu. All of those players were key contributors at one point in the season, but Edu did enough to get a national team call up, and scored some important goals for us.
May 11th, 2004 at 11:47 pm
Im going for Edu as well. Always like him as a player & this season he finally manages to show all of us he is good.
May 12th, 2004 at 12:13 am
There is a clear winner for this award. I say this because as Rick stated almost all players received accolades this season yet one was given unfair press by those who fail to see the true value of such a player. The player is Gilberto!!! A player who gives 200% every time out and does his job to perfection. He’s not there to create but to stop the opposing team from creating and there is no better player at this in the English Premier League. He covers more ground than any Arsenal player, cuts off passing lanes, tackles (without adding to our caution count), and starves the opposing strikers of service. So along with his Wolrld Cup Medal, Fastest Champions League Goal and English Premier League Title, we should give him the Arsenal America Unsung Hero of the Year Award!
May 12th, 2004 at 12:40 am
As Commander in Chief of “Edu’s Army”, my first thought was obviously Edu, but it is an “Unsung” Hero award, and through my brilliant strategy of having Edu score some huge goals (You can thank me for the tip later, Edu), he certainly is no longer “Unsung”.
My vote here is for Lauren. The guy took tons of stick, and the own goal early in the season was a howler, but he did make more than a few end of season lists, and his ability to produce offensively while also being a rock on the defense can’t be overlooked.
What most people forget is that the guy is playing out of position, but I’m sure there are several EPL coaches who would disagree.
Arsenal’s back 4 are being hailed as the “second coming” of the Adams group, and for good reason. The difference is that they’re all relatively young, and should injuries not hamper them, the Arsenal back line will be solid for the next 8 - 10 years.
May 12th, 2004 at 2:08 am
My vote goes to Edu who had played second fiddle to Gilberto, but for me he had a brilliant few games and next year maybe he will get a permanent place in the team.
May 12th, 2004 at 3:46 am
have to disagree with you all and say lehmann because no one has taken more criticism than him
he has been a good replacement for seaman
despite some moments of madness(many players have these problems)
he has kept most clean sheets and conceded the least in the premiership
from your nominations id say bergkamp
up the Arse!!!!!!!!!!
May 12th, 2004 at 5:08 am
I must agree with the the comment on Lens, who has done a fantastic job in taking the “No 1.” spot. He would be my unsung hero, but taking those from the list, it is with some degree of difficulty that I choose Lauren- the guy always delivers and has been more or less ever present this season- considering he was a right sided midfielder too before the magician Wenger waved his wand and produced yet another splendid transformation! Edu has had a wonderful season and has been rewarded with not just the repect of fellow Gooners and rivals but with also an international call up,which is more than justified in my mind. Gael Clichy showed massive potential and will certainly be one to watch, but I feel his contribution was not enough for this accolade, with more games next season, he may even be a tip for young player of the season!
May 12th, 2004 at 8:01 am
All of them can justify being on the list. I was one of Gilberto’s biggest critics during the season, but must hold my hands up and say I can appreciate his contribution. He does make a difference and I’m glad to change my opinion.
However, my choice for unsung hero, and many people over Highbury agree with me, is KOLO TOURE.
Give him a pair of gloves and he’d have a go in goal. He always plays with a smile on his face and Le Boss has admitted he’s saved us money in the transfer market.
May 12th, 2004 at 4:26 pm
Wow…. so many great choices… all with valid arguments.
Bergy… JUST SIGNED ON FOR ANOTHER SEASON! Amen!!! When he is right… we are a different class of team.
Silva… I am a big Gilberto backer. I think he is an excellent player, and we miss him when he is not on the pitch.
Lauren… again… I am a big backer of Ralph! He is just plain and simple solid. Played extremely well all season for our great defense. (best in the EPL!)
Clichy… we didn’t miss Cole much when Clichy was on. He is gonna be pushing hard to get alot of playing time for us next year…
Edu… played sooooooooooo well at times. Stepped up his game. Hard to keep off the pitch!
Cygan… good at times. Didn’t play enough to merit the unsung / contributor award in my eyes…. not with all the other possibilities!
KOLO is amazing. Not on the list… but I would actually pick him as the UNSUNG HERO of ARSENAL this season. I think he went above and beyond what anybody expected. He’d play any position on the pitch… and play well. Great passion and determination.
From our list… I’ll go with Gilberto edging out Ralph!
May 12th, 2004 at 6:10 pm
In the future if someone write a book of the entire Arsenal history, I can see the topic of chapter 2004 being “Season of Henry”! Don’t get me wrong, Arsenal plays TEAM game. Just, Henry’s performance this season makes him stand head and shoulder about the rest. Therefore, from Patrick Vieira onward, it seems everybody is an unsung hero for me this season!
If have to choose one, I will go for Kolo Toure as well. Just love his passion, and always give 100%. If he won’t win this one, I will vote him for the MOST IMPROVED player of the year, and the MOST CONSISTENT player of the year!
I read someone here made an excellent point about Lehmann. He will be my second choice. He may have made some mistakes, but overall he did excellent for us in his first season. People pointed to his mistakes cost us dearly, but without him, we may not get to our current position at the first place.