6. Laurent Koscielny

Snatched from relative obscurity in France by Arsene Wenger, Laurent Koscielny has fought back from a shaky start in English football to become one of the best defenders in the country.

In his debut season, he was a regular in the first-team but suffered in the League Cup final defeat to Birmingham in 2011. Further struggles followed the next season, as he started in the 8-2 defeat to Manchester United and scored an own goal in a 4-3 defeat to Blackburn.

Rather than let these disappointments effect his long-term football, Koscielny fought back to become one of the best performers for Arsenal in the 2011-12 season and scored the goal on the final day of the season to assure Arsenal of Champions League football the following year.

The next year, Koscielny continued his admirable performances and established himself as a crucial player in the side and this set a precedent for his role at Arsenal- a crucial player at the heart of defence, capable of leading the side to glory.

He scored an equalising goal as Arsenal came from 2-0 down to defeat Hull City 3-2 in the 2014 FA Cup final and playing the full ninety minutes one year later as Arsenal retained their crown. Koscielny has also captained the side this season, placing himself as a contender for the honour on a permanent basis in the future.

Stats last updated 16th February 2016.