Your faves

Claudius

Would be interesting to see who people’s favourite players are on the squad. Please name the 3 players you most like - just enjoy watching, feel a connection to, etc. Not necessarily who you you think the 3 best players are. Only 3!!

My 3 faves right now: Saka, Zinchenko, Odegaard.

Saka: it’s just great watching him grow and develop his all round game. He seems to add something every month
Odegaard: I love me great 10. Add the work rate, and you have my favourite captain possibly since Vieira.
Zinchenko: never know where he will pop up on the field. He’s the face of the increasing unpredictability we can create on the field that makes us harder and harder to mark. Now that structure is in place, we jazzing.

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

Gabriel: I just think this guy (early season calamities aside) is a top fucking drawer centre back. He lacks nothing physically/athletically, he's becoming more unflappable (less flappable?) mentally, and I think his passing is underrated. Adore his passion, too.

Saka: nothing to add, he's incredible. Needs to be playing fewer minutes though, I really don't want us to witness another nascent career at risk long term.

Zinchenko: his leadership, his unique style, and those cute reverse passes between the lines make me swoon.

(Next up would be ESR from two years ago, and Partey.)

Claudius

Gabriel is a great shout. It’s been wonderful watching him grow. Reputation is such a hard thing to shake off. He is so much better than first impressions. Also another reason Saliba should be happy he came later he’s walked into a functioning team and doesn’t carry baggage and doubts like Gabby and others

RocktheCasbah

Bukayo Saka is obviously my number one. Even if he wasn't from the same part of London as myself, I love everything about this kid. A brilliant footballer in so many positions, a maturity beyond his years (how he handled the fall out from the Euros would be remarkable in anyone, let alone a 20 year old) and someone who seems to love us just as much as we love him. We're so lucky to have him.

I'm gonna go for Benny White White White next. Someone else with an incredible attitude and maturity (I know he's a bit older than Saka 😊), he's overcome a tricky start, grumble about the price tag and displaced - deservedly - one of our best players last season. His link up with Saka is one of the key relationships in the team and his flexibility allows us to play as we do. He also seems funny as fuck.

Third, the goalkeeper. Aaron Ramsdale hasn't got everything right since he joined, but another one who's had to deal with and win over doubters (including me), I can't imagine a version of this Arsenal team without him now. A big, strong character who transmits incredible energy through the team and crowd and to my mind, the best keeper we've had since The Goalie, Dave Seaman.

RocktheCasbah

RocktheCasbah I can't believe I've just picked a defender and a keeper in my 3 - the times, they are a changing...

Clrnc

You are just very patriotic.

For me, the top 3 favs at the moment is

Odegaard, Gabriel and Saliba. Just picking Willy because everyone else picks Saka.

RocktheCasbah

Clrnc nothing to do with them being English mate - everything to do with the impact all three have had on the club. 😊

I'm like the least patriotic Englishman you could imagine (James will confirm this), although that could be to do with feeling deeply ashamed of my country for the last 13 years - especially since the referendum. Or does my shame - and the fact that I clearly do care actually mean I am a patriot? I've confused myself now.

Pepe LeFrits

Xhaka

Clrnc

RocktheCasbah Sorry was just taking the piss didn't expect such a serious reply. Hope you are less confused now.

Burnwinter

Martinelli. Absolute professional with an excellent personality, who gives everything he's got and is low key the most underrated forward we have, and even underrated in the league more broadly, people act like he's a 28 year old veteran even though he's still 2 years younger than fringe players like Nelson.

White. Doesn't bat an eyelid at whatever's asked of him: centre back, right back, he's got you. Usually one of our most consistent performers, but also a silent hero most commonly mentioned when he's starting to get jaded. Strong and unique character who takes no shit, gives it back when it's needed, and never when it's not.

Saka. We may have Jesus, but this one's the real Messiah. Shoulders so broad it's hard to understand how he gets on the bus, spirit so pure I feel like I'm cresting an alpine summit just watching him play. If I had a daughter I'd want her to marry him.

goon

Great thread. I was thinking about this the other day and thought it's amazing how hard this is - mainly because I love so many of them.

Hale End FC - Sorry Claud, going to bend the rules here. I was going to go with Ode as my number 1, but I think what I love about this team the most this season is Saka, ESR, Nelson, Eddie and Martinelli even if he's not technically Hale End. This lot as a group are the heart and soul of the team. Endearing, innocent and 3 of them have world class talent.
Odegaard - I love everything about this guy, his demeanor, class, but mostly his football and the things he does with the ball. No one gets me off my seat quite like he does. Could watch him all day.
Could have gone with half a dozen in here and was tempted to include someone from the back 5, but I'm going to go with Jesus. So much fun to watch, works so hard and makes us so much better.

Cant wait to have him back:

Burnwinter

goon I was thinking about this the other day and thought it's amazing how hard this is

I picked the three I picked just to add a bit of variety …

I used to talk about "reducing the dickhead count" but that barely fits now, as in terms of dickheads we're down to one arguably reformed or redeemed one, as well as one playing on under the cloud of a rape investigation.

Doc

goon Cant wait to have him back

Same, was arguably the best (or second best) player in the league in the begining of the season and transformed our attack.. Saka and Martinelli has gone up levels since he was in the team, if Arteta can get them all to click quickly, we will blow a few teams away in the remainder of the season

+Saka and Gabriel for me.

Qwiss

Saka, Smith Rowe, Martinelli, Gabriel. I know that's 4 but it was hard enough to narrow it down to that.

Claudius

Qwiss need to pick 3, mate. Thems the rules. 🙂

RocktheCasbah

Clrnc I wasn't being serious either mate. Well, maybe a little.

MistaT

Martinelli - love everything about his path to Arsenal, his passion for the game, and his ability. In recent weeks I’ve been pained watching him as he’s dropped a level and I worry it’s potentially from over coaching (more rigid role).

Partey — I’m throwing blinders on here, but watching him on the pitch is awe inspiring. No one on opposing teams wants to press him and he plays with such ease. In a sport awash with severely limited defensive midfielders, Partey is the absolute cream of the crop.

Saka - love him to bits, it’s like cheering for your little brother who is now better than you’ll ever be.

Meatwad

saka, saliba, partey

lorddulaarsenal

Zinchenko - so clever on the ball

Trossard - so agile and love to see players that can go both ways

Partey - he’s an out and out boss when he’s on his game

Obviously love Saka - he’s a beast but for me his style isn’t as eye catching as the three I’ve gone for

invisibleman18

Saka for obvious reasons.

Ramsdale for much the same reasons as rtc posted above, plus having been a keeper myself I always have a soft spot for them.

Zinchenko for his leadership, passion and the way he's completely transformed the way we play. He's replaced someone we all loved who was one of the first names on the teamsheet and we were talking about as a potential captain. Said it in another thread but it's rare for someone to come in from another club and instantly become one of your all time favourite Arsenal players. Only other one I can think of that did that was Cazorla.