The end-of-season may well be linked to which team wins the Championship. Sheringham got a rather fortuitous one last season but if United win again van Nistelrooy would have few detractors and Giggs has contributed to 20 goals in less than 13 match-equivalents. If Liverpool triumph, Hyppia, will get mentioned whilst for Newcastle, Solano remains as consistent as any midfield player whilst Shearer has had a better year than most would have predicted. However, Arsenal have three bona-fide candidates

There has been recent rumours that Vieira would fetch a world record transfer fee if he moved and there is no doubt that his anchoring of the midfield does allow other players to express themselves more. He is currently second in the Opta Stats tackling league currently winning more than three-quarters of his confrontations. On the other hand, it was not until the 30th January that he achieved his second assist of the season and his first goal arrived at the weekend. In addition, his disciplinary record remains woeful; he was the fastest to 50 cards in the Premiership

Henry is having a spectacular year, detail see here. He currently leads the goal-scoring race with 20 goals and is the most accurate striker in the league. If he can maintain his current output he will achieve at least the 45 points (goals+assists) needed to become the record-holder in a 38 match season

The dark-horse is Robert Pires, playing at the peak of his career in year number two in Arsenals colours. Ranked by Opta as the most prolific dribbler, he adds a lot of flair to a team which has now scored in a record 28 consecutive games. The twentieth assist that he contributed, against Fulham, is only the fifth time this level has been reached and he is well set to break Steve McManaman's 1995/6 record of 25.