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Arsenal: 5 players who are on the Christmas nice list

By Ross Kennerley

Arsenal's English defender Calum Chambers (C) celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English League Cup round of 16 football match between Arsenal and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 26, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's English defender Calum Chambers (C) celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English League Cup round of 16 football match between Arsenal and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 26, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal: 5 players who made it onto Santa Claus’ Christmas nice list this year thanks to their contributions across 2021. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

The calm before the Arsenal storm. Christmas is here and it hands us a day to take a step away from football, open a few presents and enjoy a festive drink. Or two.

With fixtures aplenty, two in 45 hours and 30 minutes no less, this is a day where Mikel Arteta and his players can put their feet up for a bit and get some much-needed rest.

Travelling to Norfolk on Boxing Day to take on Norwich, it will be early nights and early mornings (you hope) for the squad as they pop over to London Colney for the two and a bit hour coach ride.

Some of the group can look back on a year where they’ve warranted getting coal in their stockings over presents, while others have made their way firmly onto Santa’s nice list.

Arsenal: 5 players who made it onto Santa Claus’ Christmas nice list this year thanks to their contributions across 2021

Arteta and co have done a fantastic job building a squad bursting full of players it is almost impossible not to adore.

Young talents with infectious smiles and beaming characters balance nicely with some of the elder statesman, so in theory the amount to feature on Father Christmas’ nice list could be extensive.

For that reason we’ll have to pick a few standout players in particular, the like of which can slip into their turkey induced food comas knowing they’ve been good eggs this season.

Five in particular spring to mind.

Arsenal, Rambo
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 30: Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal acknowledges the fans after his sides victory in the Premier League match between Leicester City and Arsenal at The King Power Stadium on October 30, 2021 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

1. Aaron Ramsdale

What a signing. What a guy.

Aaron Ramsdale has been a revelation at Arsenal since his £30m move from Sheffield United in the summer, clocking up eight clean sheets in the Premier League this season, just two shy of Ederson who has played three more matches.

Speaking of the Brazilian, the new recruit has shown lashings of otherworldly distribution in a way few ever could have predicted would be on show at the Emirates. He’s one of the best around at the minute.

But that’s not why he’s making the nice list.

Ramsdale is on the list this year for playing a huge role in rallying the Arsenal fans behind the team. His infectious personality on and off the pitch has stirred up an atmosphere at the Emirates unlike any seen for a while. The way he conducts himself is superb. On top of being a marvelous goalkeeper, he’s effectively become the crowd’s hype man.

What a guy.

Continued on next page…

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