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    Sunday
    Apr072013

    Top5 - Number 2: Mikel Arteta

    Games played: 27

    Goals: 5

    Average Shot Accuracy: 62%

    Chances Created: 23

    Pass Accuracy: 92%

    Average Duels Won: 53%

    Mikel Arteta was always seen as a big fish in a little pond whilst he was plying his trade with Everton, and since jumping to a larger club the Spaniard has certainly proved to be more than good enough.

    Arteta oozes class and he has been a massive part of Arsenal's challenge for the top four. It is seldom that he misplaces a pass in a game, whether it be a long ranged pass or a slight flick to a colleague 2-yards away.

    His style of play is complimented by his midfield partner Jack Wilshere, who prefers a scrap to a neat back heel.

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    Sunday
    Apr072013

    Top5 - Number 3: Per Mertesacker

    Games played: 28

    Goals: 2

    Average Shot Accuracy: 56%

    Chances Created: 3

    Pass Accuracy: 92%

    Average Duels Won: 66%

    The giant German is one of the players to have come under constant scrutiny this campaign and can sometimes appear to do no right. However, if you look at the statistical breakdown then you can see how important he has been to the north London outfit.

    He is vastly experienced in topflight football and has proved himself on every stage in the game. However, his lanky, dangly,  and somewhat awkward-looking style of play can easily cause him to be criticised.

    Mertesacker has been an important part to Arsenal this season, there is no question about that.

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    Sunday
    Apr072013

    Top5 - Number 4: Jack Wilshere 

    Games played: 18

    Goals: 0

    Average Shot Accuracy: 57%

    Chances Created: 41

    Pass Accuracy: 87%

    Average Duels Won: 64%

    Wilshere is often dubbed the next England captain, mainly because his passion for football and his determination to succeed in every single game. His fighting spirit is often contagious too, forcing the best out of his teammates.

    He has been unfortunate with injury during his short career, but he is very much still improving as a player and is likely to be a key figure in whatever Arsenal achieve in the next couple of years.

    He is already a hero in the eyes of the Arsenal fans at the age of 21.

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    Sunday
    Apr072013

    Top5 - Number 5: Theo Walcott

    Games played: 25

    Goals: 11

    Average Shot Accuracy: 59%

    Chances Created: 29

    Pass Accuracy: 84%

    Average Duels Won: 52%

    Whenever Theo Walcott's name has been mentioned this season it has brought up the discussion whether he is more suited to play on the wing or get a crack at a more central role which is has publicly begged for.

    Well, with a goal return of 18 this season in all competition the argument for the latter certainly seems to be stronger, but he has been a key player in whichever role he asked been asked to participate.

    Gunners fans would have been thrilled when he signed his new contract, as at 24 he still has a huge future to look forward to.

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    Tuesday
    Apr022013

    Top10 - Number 1: Gary Neville

    Qualities:  Preparation, motivation, experience, winner

    Experience: Neville not only has the experience of 600 first team games in the Premier League for Manchester United and 85 caps for the England senior side, but he has been a part of the national coaching set up since Roy Hodgson took the reins last year. He also works as a pundit for Sky Sports, providing him with an in-depth knowledge of every individual in the English topflight.

    Okay, I cheated a bit here, he is not a current Premier League footballer, but I am sure he will be a top manager one day. Who knows, maybe the Old Trafford hot-seat may have his name on.

    Managerial style in three words: Thoroughly thought through.

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    Tuesday
    Apr022013

    Top10 - Number 2: Michael Owen

    Qualities: cultured, travelled, determined, respected.

    Experience: The latter years of Michael Owen's playing career may have appeared to be frustrating, a waste of effort and somewhat timid compared to what he achieved as a youngster, but his days on the bench may have been a blessing in disguise for the forward. He has appeared as a pundit for numerous media outlets and each time comes across as a knowledgeable gentleman, albeit a bit boring. He has recently revealed his retirement plans for the end of the season, and is said to be looking to get into management.

    Managerial style in three words: Four four two.

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    Tuesday
    Apr022013

    Top10 - Number 3: Jamie Carragher

    Qualities: Loyal, driven, tenacious, devoted.

    Experience: With over 700 first team appearances, there isn't much that Jamie Carragher hasn't experienced in his lengthy Liverpool career, apart from the Premier League title of course.

    Carragher is hanging up his boots at the end of the season but has expressed his desire to take up a coaching role at the Reds. I have no doubt in my that the boyhood Everton fan would be a success if he eventually takes the role of manager at a club, but we will have to wait and see if the opportunity presents itself.

    Watch this clip of an 18-year-old Carragher talking about his dreams.

    Managerial style in three words: Blood, sweat, tears.

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    Tuesday
    Apr022013

    Top10 - Number 4: Shaun Derry

    Qualities: Tough, Influential, thoughtful, no-nonsense

    Experience:  Shaun Derry oozes a tireless work rate, and his hard work and determination seems to rub off on his teammates. Derry has been lurking around the lower leagues for as long as I can remember, but has also played at the top for a mixed amount of time. He is often seen as a dirty player, but that is down to his zealous outlook of how the game should be played.

    Derry is nearing the end of his career now, so a coaching role could be in sight.

    Managerial style in three words: Hard to beat.

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    Tuesday
    Apr022013

    Top10 - Number 5: Phil Neville

    Qualities: Tenacious, resolute, strong-willed, veteran.

    Experience: Neville came through the youth academy at Manchester United with the likes of David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, but unlike the latter two, Neville found his form at Goodison Park with Everton.  He has been skipper at the Merseyside club for many years as a result of his influence around the club, and he is likely to follow his brother in a coaching role when he finishes his playing career.

    Managerial style in three words: Hard as nails.

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    Tuesday
    Apr022013

    Top10 - Number 6: Vincent Kompany

    Qualities: Winner, composed, cultured, strong-minded.

    Experience: Kompany's personality and knowledge of the game has allowed him to become a part time pundit for the likes of Match of the Day. A string of injuries and suspensions also gave him some time off earlier in the season, meaning he can brush up on his analysis on TV.

    He comes across as a very insightful man with plenty of views on how things should be done.

    Managerial style in three words: The Belgian waffle.

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