Thread by @adamvoge

Season's over. Arsenal's kids ended up fifth in the Premier League, securing a Europa League return and setting up for a key summer. Looking around the squad, how did everyone (except CBs and GKs) do in individual stats? A thread... (1/x)

Starting at striker, Alexandre Lacazette put in some real shifts this season, but his legs betrayed him around the three-quarter pole. Even at his best, Laca was missing an important skill: scoring, ending up with his worst finishing performance in London. Verdict: Let him walk.

Laca was replaced late on by Eddie Nketiah, who ignited debate with a series of strong performances that helped pull the Gunners out of a slump. This is small sample size territory, but Eddie did a good poacher's work. Not the complete striker but a good option for second chair.

Moving into the next wave of attackers, Bukayo Saka was my player of the year for the team. Despite some up-and-down form Saka was everywhere Arsenal needed him to be. Some further depth at RW should help save the starboy's legs toward the end of next season.

Martin Odegaard was my signing of the season. He could be more assertive next season as a shooter and as a midfield presence, but the hope will be that more consistency from the other midfielders and a stronger striker will help his output even more. I'd give him the armband.

Emile Smith Rowe's season was up and down to say the least. A lot of his output stats spiked in small bursts but evened out or disappeared later on in the season. He's a great ballcarrier, but his final-third passing needs work. If he can do that, he'd be a great utility mid/wing

Gabriel Martinelli at times looked like a worldbeater, giving the likes of Trent a long day at the office, but at other times he looked like pure energy in need of some reining in. If Martinelli can pick his spots a bit more next season, while polishing his finishing, look out.

Into the CMs. Granit Xhaka was an absolute soldier this season. He retained his progression while adding shot-creation further up the field. The book is written on his limitations - physicality, decision-making - but I wouldn't be surprised to see Granit begin next year at left 8

Can we get 30 starts of Thomas Partey, please? This radar looks like a strong 6, and that's including some struggles toward the end of 21/beginning of 22. Before his injury he was revelatory. Wrap him in cotton, Mikel.

Albert Sambi Lokonga has a strong radar, but his season was defined a bit more by some of the mistakes he made. No doubt the Europa League should give the Henry-endorsed Belgian a chance to polish his game and get more minutes in a competitive environment.

Into the fullback spots. Kieran Tierney's never been one to rack up tackles and pressures, but he was pretty consistent this season at keeping the ball and keeping his man in front of him. Arsenal will need the Scot to stay healthy (for once) if CL next season is the plan.

This health thing is a theme, isn't it. Takehiro Tomiyasu surprised a lot of people in the first 1/2, showing great ball progression and retention and lock-down 1v1 defending. He played hurt against Spurs and watered down his dribbled past number, but it's still good.

Cedric's chart reminds us of the importance of actually watching the games too. At his best, he was very good (and built up some of these numbers). At his worst, he was a disaster. Will he be back? If we got a good deal on a replacement, I'd take it, but don't force it either.

Lastly, here's Nuno Tavares. This chart is pretty appropriate for the roller-coaster LB/LWB, with very good ball carrying numbers and some others, with very bad ball control and defending numbers. He's a wild ride, and we'll see what happens next season.

There you have it! Some good, some bad, some further growth needed. Ultimately the season will go down as a pretty good step forward, with a dash of disappointment after some of the heights they reached. I called fifth their ceiling at the outset:

https://twitter.com/adamvoge/status/1425900707807436800

If there's some kind of golden secret to keeping players healthy, Arteta needs to find it quickly. But one would expect that a new striker, CM or two, and defender or two who can add quality and rotate by choice rather than need could preserve everyone's health.

If the above happens this summer, and Arsenal's young core can take another step forward, 2022-2023 could be the year Arsenal make their Champions League return. If not? Well, let's chat about that closer to the end of 2022...