Arteta would be awesome in our current set-up playing a similar role to which he does at Arsenal. I think the problem in his last season or two, especially after Pienaar left was that he was our only creative player and we were over reliant on him. The midfield of Osman, Pienaar, Cahill and Arteta with the Yak up top and Cars behind was superb and was Arteta at his best for us.
Best player is a really difficult one as we've had a umber of players who've excelled, if he hadn't left I'd have said Lescott as I think he has all the attributes you want in a top centre back. Of the current crop I'd go for Baines as I think he has been so consistent since he finally made the left back spot his own.